Variance based sensitivity analysis and statistical optimization of design and operating parameters of spiral wound pervaporation modules for thiophene removal from FCC gasoline

Abstract

Global sensitivity analysis and optimization is an essential step to understand the overall influence of input parameters. In this study, the influence of different operating and design parameters of the spiral wound pervaporation module is examined for the desulfurization of model gasoline. Feed temperature is found most influential parameter among all parameters for flux and enrichment factor. The sensitivity of other parameters is found relatively lesser. For temperature drop in the feed section and pressure drop in the permeate section, influences of design parameters become significant. The influence of interactions among input parameters on the decision variables is also found substantial except for total flux.Later, different operating and design parameters were also optimized. Lower permeate pressure, higher feed temperature, and Reynolds number are found better-operating conditions, and lower L/W (length to width ratio of a membrane leaf), smaller membrane area and the higher number of leaves are found better design conditions.