A CFD model was developed based on the filtration in the dead-end outside-in hollow fiber membrane module. Various fiber length

diameter

permeability

packing density

fouling index and transmembrane pressure were chosen during numerical simulation of the dynamic evolution of flux distribution and permeate volumetric flow rate. The simulation revealed that the uniformity of flux distribution improved as the filtration processes. The self-adjustment of the flux distribution was more pronounced with longer

narrower

more permeable fibers

higher packing density

fouling index and trans-membrane pressure. The inverse of the water volumetric flow rate increased linearly with the accumulated volume of the permeate. Due to the non-uniformity of the flux distribution and its dynamic evolution

the linear relationship differed from the one presented in the classic cake filtration model. A correlation equation to characterize the dead-end outside-in cake filtration in the hollow fiber membrane module was obtained through curve fitting of the simulation data. The equation enabled the prediction of the module performance and better design of the module.