CHE3165: Separation

Processes
Unit Coordinator and Lecturer: Dr Akshat Tanksale
Email: Akshat.Tanksale@monash.edu
Room: 69-202A
Unit URL:
http://moodle.vle.monash.edu/course/view.php?id=870
Membrane Separation Process
Learning Outcomes
 By the end of Today’s lecture you should be able to:

1. Define nature of Membrane

2. Define mechanism of Membrane Separation

3. Explain relevant diagrams and basic equations

4. Know the practical applications of membranes

Homework reading
Geankoplis Chapter 13
McCabe & Smith (ed. 5+) Chapter 26
See Also Perry (ed. 5+) section 17
 Membrane Classification
 Non-Porous (Dense) Membranes [Gean. 6.5B]
 Solution / solid equilibrium (Henry / Solubility)
 Diffusion through solid (Fick’s Law)
 Solid / Solution Equilibrium (Henry)
 Used in Gas Separations (Concentration Driving Force)
 Porous Membranes [Gean. 6.5C, 7.6]
 Molecular Diffusion in pores
 Parameters – effective diffusivity, ,
 Gas separations, dialysis
 Concentration driving force
 Semi Permeable Membranes
 Permeable to solvent but less so to solute
 Can be any of the above two mechanisms
 Different equations and parameter may be used to define the same
process, however, none of them fits perfectly
 Used for Reverse Osmosis, Ultrafiltration
 Pressure driving force for solvent
 Dense Membrane
L
related through Henry’s Law /
Solubility (i.e. equilibrium)

Flux  3 Resistances in Series

1 1

Where, = membrane
permeability to A (= , )

 Membrane resistance usually controls

 Geankoplis (13.2A) describes Dialysis in the same way

 But McCabe and Smith DO NOT – they suggest a porous
membrane model
 Porous Membrane (Simplest Case)
L

E.g.

 Used for U238/U236 Enrichment

Dialysis Membrane (McCabe & Smith)
L

A:- Small solute molecule

B:- Intermediate sized molecule
C:- Macromolecule or colloid

~0
molecule size
pore size

0
 Osmosis
 Spontaneous Process
 Solvent permeates under a concentration gradient
 Solute cannot pass through

Solute
Van’t Hoff Equation

Solvent
 Partial molar volume of
solvent
 Osmotic Pressure

~0
 Reverse Osmosis
 Apply a ∆P > to drive the solvent in opposite direction
 Some solute is transferred under a ∆C driving force

∝ ∆ ∆
Pressure Driven Flow

Feed Permeate (Product)

Solute Concentration
∝∆
 Membrane Structure
Dense Solute occupies intermolecular space

Molecular Diffusion in Solid

L L ~25+ µm thick (strength)  very small fluxes (∝ )

Rubbery Polymers

Porous

 Drag factor of mean free path factor

Flux ∝

Pore Diffusion (hindered by various factors)

Small L, Large (~25+ µm thick for strength)
Semi-Permeable
Supported nano-porous or dense membranes
“Asymmetric” - integral support + Film
Molecular or Hindered Pore Diffusion

Dense or Nano-porous film

L < 1 µm ; usually 0.1 µm

(Micro-) porous support ~ 0.5, L’ ~ 10-100 µm

(Negligible Resistance)
 General Theory for Flux through a membrane

Partition coefficient
Flux through each phase is equal

Substituting and

; (permeability)
 Worked Problem
A liquid containing dilute solute A at a concentration 3
10 / 3 is flowing rapidly past a membrane of thickness
3 10 . The distribution coefficient 1.5 and 7.0
10 / in the membrane. The solute diffuses through the
membrane, and its concentration on the other side is 0.50
10 / 3. The mass transfer coefficient is large and can be
considered infinite and 2.02 10 / .

(a) Derive the equation to calculate the steady state flux and
make a sketch.
(b) Calculate the flux and the concentrations at the membrane
interfaces.
 PART (a)

Flux
OR , and
Adding the three resistances
 ∴
1 1 1

But given that ∞

∴
1 1
 Part (b)
Calculate the flux and the concentrations at the membrane
interfaces.

7.0 10 / 1.5
3.5 10 /
3 10

3 10 0.5 10 / 3
7.458 10
1 1 1 1 .
3.5 10 / 2.02 10 /

7.458 10 2.02 10 / 0.5 10

.
∴ 0.869 10 / 3

1.5 OR 1.304 10 / 3
. /
1.5 OR 4.5 10 / 3
. /
Membrane Separation Process
Learning Outcomes
 By the end of Today’s lecture you should be able to:

1. Define nature of Membrane

2. Define mechanism of Membrane Separation

3. Explain relevant diagrams and basic equations

4. Know the practical applications of membranes

Homework reading
Geankoplis Chapter 13
McCabe & Smith (ed. 5+) Chapter 26
See Also Perry (ed. 5+) section 17