Process Design for Pervaporation and Vapor Permeation with Zeolite Membranes

Abstract

Zeolite membranes are applied for dewatering organic solvents in two different ways, namely vapor permeation andpervaporation processes. Driving forces of water permeation through the membrane in both processes are studied inthis paper based on operating conditions of vapor permeation process in a bioethanol production plant and laboratorytests of dewatering 2–propanol and tetrahydrofuran in pervaporation process. Progress of water permeation is wellsimulated when driving force for vapor permeation is set to be the difference between the partial pressures of waterin the solvent and in the permeate, and the fugacities of water in the solvent and partial pressure in the permeate forpervaporation.