Separation of Alcohol Aqueous Solutions by Reverse Osmosis and Pervaporation Using a Poly(1-Trimethylsilyl-1-Propyne) Membrane

Abstract

Ethanol and 1-propanol aqueous solutions were separated by reverse osmosis (RO) and pervaporation (PV) using a poly(1-trimethylsilyi-1-propyne) (PTMSP) membrane, and the membrane showed alcohol selectivity in both RO and PV. Flux decreased with time but selectivity did not change in PV. On the other hand, both flux and selectivity were constant with time in RO. Spiegler-Kedem’s equations predicted that the alcohol selectivity in RO significantly increased with increase in operating pressure.