Pushing membrane stability boundaries with HybSi super( registered pervaporation membranes)

• Published in: Journal of membrane science 2011-09, Vol.380 (1-2), p.124-131
• Main Authors: Van Veen, Henk M, Rietkerk, Marielle DA, Shanahan, Donough P, Van Tuel, Marc MA, Kreiter, Robert, Castricum, Hessel L, Ten Elshof, Johan E, Vente, Jaap F
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0376-7388
• DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2011.06.040

To overcome the limitations of currently available commercial polymer and zeolite membranes for pervaporation applications, a hybrid silica membrane (HybSi super( registered ) has been developed. In this paper the unprecedented stability of HybSi) super( registered ) membrane technology for the dehydration of organic solvents is reported. It is shown that the HybSi super( registered membranes are suitable for demanding separations using pervaporation at temperatures up to at least 190 degree C, in aggressive aprotic solvents including N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), and down to a pH value of [not, vert, similar]2. The high hydrothermal and chemical stability was proven in continuous measurements that lasted for periods of months to several years. The longest test, on the dehydration of n-butanol at 150 degree C, lasted for 1000 days. The high stability parallels high fluxes and selectivities that meet current industrial demands and expectations. After a period of stabilization, fluxes and selectivities become constant. The presented results show that HybSi) super( registered ) membranes are widely applicable in the dehydration of organic solvents by pervaporation.