Abstract
In this study, mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) composed of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and porous ZSM-5 zeolite are thoroughly investigated for concentrating alcohols of ethanol and n-propanol via dewatering pervaporation. The effects of the zeolite content (10-30 wt.%), feed composition (5-30 wt.% water), and feed temperature (50-90 °C) on the pervaporation flux/separation factor and component permeance/selectivity of these MMMs are examined in detail. These MMMs achieve higher separation efficiency and pervaporation flux than their pure PVA counterparts as expected, even if the dehydration results strongly depend on the pervaporation conditions. The disparity in pervaporation performances acquired for different alcohol solutions may be understood in terms of polarity and molecular size, which differ among these alcohol molecules. The PVA/zeolite MMM of 20 wt.% ZSM-5 zeolite content performs substantially stably at 60 °C for the feed with 80 wt.% alcohol while maintaining separation factors of 660 or 820 and total fluxes of 970 or 825 g/m2h for dewatering water/ethanol and water/n-propanol, respectively. Thus, our membranes appear to be technically feasible for practical alcohol dehydration uses.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
