Pervaporation separation of water-isopropanol mixtures using polymeric membranes: Modeling and simulation aspects

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science 2005-03, Vol.95 (5), p.1143-1153
• Main Authors: Aminabhavi, Tejraj M., Naidu, B. Vijaya Kumar, Sridhar, S., Rangarajan, R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Exchange resins and membranes; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; membrane; modeling; pervaporation; poly(vinyl alcohol); Polymer industry, paints, wood; sodium alginate; Technology of polymers
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.21323

Pervaporation technique was used to separate water + isopropanol azeotropic mixtures at 30°C using pure sodium alginate, pure poly(vinyl alcohol), and blend membranes of sodium alginate containing 10 and 20 mass % of poly(vinyl alcohol). The membrane performance was studied by calculating flux, selectivity, pervaporation separation index, and enrichment factor. Pure sodium alginate membrane gave the highest pervaporation separation index for all compositions of water. Pervaporation experiments were carried out for 10 mass % containing water + isopropanol mixture at 30, 40, and 50°C. The Arrhenius activation parameters were computed. The PV results have been analyzed by considering complete mixing and plug flow models. Design parameters, like membrane area, permeate concentrations, flux, stage cut, separation selectivity, etc., have been calculated for different feed compositions of water in the mixture. Results are explained in terms of sorption‐diffusion principles. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 95: 1143–1153, 2005