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A novel theoretical model that considers the gas transport mechanisms through the inter-fiber space of self-sustained electrospun nanofibrous membranes (ENMs) is developed for direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD). The theoretical model involves the structural characteristics of the ENMs, the heat transfer mechanisms and the nature of mass transport through the self-sustained web. The permeate fluxes of different ENMs prepared with different electrospinning times and therefore different thicknesses were predicted for different feed temperatures and sodium chloride salt concentrations up to 60g/L. The used ENMs exhibit different parameters such as liquid entry pressure of water, inter-fiber space, void volume fraction, thickness, etc. In contrast to what reported in other theoretical MD studies considering Bosanquet equation with equal mass transport contributions for Knudsen diffusion and ordinary …