Investigation of the permeability and selectivity of gases and volatile organic compounds for polydimethylsiloxane membranes

Selectivity of oxygen, carbon dioxide, ethylene, dimethyl sulphide, trichloroethylene and toluene from air and their permeability ( P) and diffusivity ( D m) are reported for a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane at 30 °C. All are constants within the studied feed concentration interval (0.04–233 g...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of membrane science Vol. 215; no. 1; pp. 303 - 319
Main Authors: De Bo, Inge, Van Langenhove, Herman, Pruuost, Peter, De Neve, Jeroen, Pieters, Jan, Vankelecom, Ivo F.J, Dick, Erik
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier B.V 15.04.2003
Subjects:
Diffusivity
Permeability
Polydimethylsiloxane
Selectivity
Volatile organic compounds
Volatile organic compounds
Selectivity
Permeability
Polydimethylsiloxane
Diffusivity
ISSN:0376-7388, 1873-3123
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Selectivity of oxygen, carbon dioxide, ethylene, dimethyl sulphide, trichloroethylene and toluene from air and their permeability ( P) and diffusivity ( D m) are reported for a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane at 30 °C. All are constants within the studied feed concentration interval (0.04–233 g m −3). The presence of oxygen in the vapour/air mixtures has no significant influence on the vapour permeation. All resistances for mass transfer are determined in the PDMS membrane while gas phase resistances are negligible. Increasing feed concentration or decreasing membrane thickness results in a linear increase of the compound’s permeation. Computer simulations of the permeation tests indicate that the concentration in the permeate stream along the membrane sheet can be approximated by a logarithmic concentration profile. The highest permeability and lowest diffusivity are found for toluene, followed by trichloroethylene, dimethyl sulphide, ethylene, carbon dioxide and oxygen. Ratios between lowest and highest value for P and D m were 300 and 11, respectively. The relative high selectivity of vapours compared to oxygen can hinder an optimal bioreactor operation for breaking down gaseous pollutants when a PDMS membrane is used as gas/liquid contactor. In some cases, it is expected that unsufficient amounts of oxygen permeate for complete metabolisation of the pollutants.
ISSN:0376-7388
1873-3123
DOI:10.1016/S0376-7388(03)00024-3