Abstract
Reverse osmosis transport for alcohol-water systems in the Taft number (σ*) region of 0 to −0.3 is explored in detail. The numerical value of the polar functional constant for alcohols is 15.5 for the above σ* region in the operating pressure range of 50 to 500 psig for the cellulose acetate membrane material used. An analysis of the combined effect of operating pressure and mass transfer coefficient on the high-pressure side of the membrane shows that, under certain conditions, solute separation could pass through a maximum with increase in operating pressure. A general experession for solute separation is derived as a function of pore structure on membrane surface, polarity of solute, and operating conditions of the experiment. Alcohols behave independently in mixed solute systems. A method is described and illustrated for predicting alcohol separation in alcohol–sucrose–water feed solutions from data on single solute systems.
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