As a major configuration of membrane elements, multi-channel porous inorganic membrane tubes were studied by means of theoretical analysis and simulation. Configuration optimization of a cylindrical 37-channel porous inorganic membrane tube was studied by increasing membrane filtration area and increasing permeation efficiency of inner channels. An optimal ratio of the channel diameter to the inter-channel distance was proposed so as to increase the total membrane filtration area of the membrane tube. The three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation was conducted to study the cross-flow permeation flow of pure water in the 37-channel ceramic membrane tube. A model combining Navier-Stokes equation with Darcy's law and the porous jump boundary conditions was applied. The relationship between permeation efficiency and channel locations, and the method for increasing the permeation efficiency of inner channels were proposed. Some novel multi-channel membrane configurations with more permeate side channels were put forward and evaluated. (C) 2016 The Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China, and Chemical Industry Press. All rights reserved.