Membrane Separation

Membrane Separation
Abstract
In this Experiment, we have measured the permeability of oxygen and carbon dioxide
through a membrane. We have used three gases (Carbon dioxide, Nitrogen and Oxygen) in a
process called gas permeation that is used to separate air into several components. The
membrane layer is cut out into a circular shape and placed in between the two metal
connectors seen below in Figure 1. Our hypothesis as stated is: The flux of carbon dioxide or
oxygen is directly proportional to the partial pressure before it crosses the membrane.
Using this apparatus, we were able to record the parts per million of the Oxygen and
Carbon Dioxide across the membrane using the analyzers connected to the tubes. The
percentages were used to perform calculations and compute the flux across the membrane for
both Carbon Dioxide and Oxygen gas
We have learned how to measure the permeability of oxygen and carbon dioxide
through a membrane and we know how the membrane thickness and the flow rate of gas can
affect this permeability. Also, the Membrane Separation experiment allowed the experimenters
to review some of the fundamentals of chemical engineering, for example, mass balances.
Introduction
The goal of this experiment is to record the parts per million of Carbon Dioxide and
Oxygen gas across a membrane into a Nitrogen/Oxygen and Nitrogen/Carbon Dioxide flow,
respectively. Using the known flow rates and known concentrations across the membrane, the
analyst was allowed to compute the permeability of the membrane for both gases.
The type of mass transfer (diffusion) in solids is examined using Ficks Law and the actual
structure of the membrane does not define the diffusion. Permeability is defined below.
=

3 ()
. 2 .

(1)

is the permeability, is the diffusivity and S is the solubility at standard

temperature and pressure. We can determine the flow rates across the membrane for each gas
by detecting the amount of carbon dioxide and oxygen that crosses the membrane. Flux is
defined as a molar flow rate divided by the surface area.
=

.
=
. 2

(2)

Seeing that flux can also be calculated as a function of permeability, we can take
equation 6.5-8 from the Transport Phenomena textbook and rearrange to solve for
permeability.

(1 2 ) .
=
. 22.414(2 1 ) 2

22.414 (2 1 ) 22.414
=
1 2

Defining the variables, is the thickness of the membrane, is the pressure change
of the component across the membrane, is the permeability of the membrane and is the
molar flux.
Methods
Initially, it is important that readings involving dimensions are recorded so that the area
can be appropriately calculated. Using Figure 1 as a guide, the diameter of the circle was
recorded so that the analyst can determine the area of permeability. First, the membrane layer
is installed between the two metal connectors and locked in using screws displayed in Figure 1.

Figure 1 Metal connectors with flow tubes running across

Once the connectors have been set, the gas tanks can be screwed open so as to allow
gas flow from the tanks into the tubes. In Figure 2 below, the 4 flow meters are displayed. The
first and the third flow meters are for the 2 2 flow tube passing through the metal
connectors. The second and fourth flow meters are for the 2 2 flow tube passing
through the metal connectors.

Figure 2 Four flow meters controlling flow of gases. From left to right: 2 in the top stream,
2 in the bottom stream, 2 in the top stream and 2 in the bottom stream.
The lab experiment involved editing the flow rates percentages of 2 and 2 from 0 to
100 in their initial flow streams. Once the two technicians edited the flow rate streams, they
were required to record the readings of each gas allowed into the flow tubes. The experiment
ended up being a timely process due to waiting for the flow rates coming in and leaving the
metal connectors to approach a steady state, which allows us to use the equations in chapter 6
of the Transport Processes and Separation Processes Principles Textbook.

Figure 3 Series 9500 (analyzing top stream after passing through metal connector) and
analyzer (analyzing bottom stream after passing through metal connector).
Once steady state was achieved, the technicians observed the parts per million of
2 in the top stream as a result of crossing from the bottom stream through the membrane by
using the Series 9500 recording shown above in Figure 3. The analyzer, also displayed in
Figure 3, was used to measure the ppm of Oxygen gas that crossed the membrane from the top
flow tube into the bottom flow tube. Additionally, the computer graphed the behavior of the
gasses and showed when it reaches steady state, as shown below in Figure 4.

Figure 4 LoggerPro software used to examine behavior of Carbon Dioxide and Oxygen gases
Overall, the technicians were only required to record the readings obtained from the
flow meters and the oxygen and carbon dioxide analyzers. The meter did not give volumetric
flow rates. Instead, the scale on the meter had to be converted by using a chart provided near
the site of the experiment. This chart will be provided for reference in the Appendix. The
percentages of the Oxygen flowing through the top tube were varied from 0 to 100 in
increments of 25%. After recording 5 sets of readings from varying the flow rate, we were
required to collect data from another membrane of the same material, but of a different
thickness.
After completing the lab experiment and recording raw data, the technicians assisted in
turning off the software, turning off the flow meters, closing the gas tanks, removing the screws
holding the metal connectors in place, and removing the permeable membrane and
appropriately disposing of it.

Results

Figure 5 Guide showing flow of gases across membrane in metal connector

Once the dimensions of the inside of the metal connectors were recording, the first task
at hand was calculating the area of permeability.
2
= (( ) )
2

(1)

D is the diameter of the circle. For convenience, the entire area, in square inches, will be
converted to square meters.
0.738 2
2.542 2
2
= ((
) ) (
) 2 /2
2
2
2
100
= 2.56 104 2
We can calculate molar flow rates of each gas passing through by examining the
volumetric flow rate and the conditions of the environment during the time of the experiment.
For a sample calculation, the second trial for the first membrane thickness (2.5*10^-4 m) when
examining Carbon Dioxide will be analyzed.
It is appropriate to calculate the flow rate across the membrane by using the ppm
reading provided by the CO2 analyzer. The analyst assumed that the flow rate coming in to the
metal connectors is the same for each flow tube leaving the metal connector. Knowing the
standards of the room at the moment (assuming room temperature and pressure), we can
calculate the molar flow rate of Oxygen in the top stream using the volumetric flow rate
provided. First, an interpolation sheet is used to determine the molar flow rate from the chart
provided.
146 200 200
=
30 40
37 40

146 200

= 2 ,1 (
) (37 40) + 200 = 183.8
30 40

Likewise, an interpolation is done for the Nitrogen gas stream attached to the carbon
dioxide stream, which gives a Nitrogen volumetric flow rate of 455 mL per minute. Adding the
two molar flow rates together, a value of 606.1 mL/min is obtained. Next, the molar flow rate
of Carbon Dioxide across the membrane can be computed.
2 =

638.8
1
1
1
69
1
(
)(
)(
)(
)(
)

1000
24
1000 1000000
60
1011
= 3.0609

A fix was made to all Carbon Dioxide values so that the first value was converted to a
positive number as opposed to a negative number. Now that the molar flow rate has been
calculated, the value can be divided by area to determine the molar flux.
2 +
(2)

1011
1011
1
= (3.0609
+ 2.529
)(
)

2.56 104 2
108
= 2.03
. 2
2 =

Now that the flux has been calculated, partial pressures of Carbon Dioxide can be
calculated by using the molar ratios and knowing the total pressure. We wish to calculate the
pressures in atm. Since the pressure change as a result of Carbon Dioxide passing into the
permeable membrane is so small, we can assume that the change in partial pressure is just the
partial pressure of Carbon Dioxide in its original flow stream. Since the volumetric flow rates
are converted to moles using the RTP relationship, we can express mole fractions as a function
of volumetric flow rates. The pressure that day was recorded to be 24.78 inches of Mercury.
(1 2 ) = 1
1 = 1 =

1
1 + 1

(3)
(4)

217.1

(24.78 ) (25.4
) (1
)
(217.1 + 389)
1
760
= 0.2966

Now that the flux and change in pressure has been calculated, we can plot the flux
against change in pressure. Figure blank below shows the graph produced for Carbon dioxide
for the first membrane thickness of 2.54*10^-4 m.

Flux CO2 First Trial

0.0000007

y = 7E-07x - 2E-08
R = 0.9782

Flux (kmol/m^2s)

0.0000006
0.0000005
0.0000004
0.0000003

Flux CO2

0.0000002

Linear (Flux CO2)

0.0000001
0
-1E-07

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

Pressure (atm)

Figure 6 Flux vs change in pressure for Carbon Dioxide across permeable membrane thickness
of 0.01 inches
Using Excel, the analyst was able to calculate the slope of the flux-pressure line. Finally,
using the equation provided in the introduction, we can calculate the permeability of Carbon
Dioxide across the 0.01 inch membrane.
22.414
22.4143
107
109 3 .
4
=
=(
(7
) (2.54 10 )) = 4

. 2 .
. 2 .
Concluding the sample calculations, Table 1 and Table 2 below summarizes the results obtained
from the experiment as a result of absolute and relative cell referencing in Excel.

Table 1 - Summary of Flux Calculations

Membrane
(thickness,
inches)
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01

P*CO2
(atmosphere)

Flux CO2
(kmolCO2/s.m^2)

P*O2
(atmosphere)

Flux O2
(kmolO2/s.m^2)

0
0.30
0.45
0.66
0.83

0
2.03E-07
3.05E-07
4.19E-07
6.42E-07

0
0.24
0.55
0.69
0.83

1.92E-08
1.36E-07
2.39E-07
3.15E-07
3.61E-07

0.004
0.004
0.004
0.004
0.004

0
0.15
0.34
0.70
0.83

0
3.10E-07
5.34E-07
1.15E-06
1.53E-06

0
0.24
0.46
0.70
0.83

1.01E-08
1.63E-07
2.75E-07
4.52E-07
6.54E-07

Table 2- Results from Permeability Calculations

CO2 First Trial
Thickness (m)
Slope
Permeability
O2 First Trial
Thickness (m)
Slope
Permeability
CO2 Second Trial
Thickness (m)
Slope
Permeability
O2 Second Trial
Thickness 2 (m)
Slope
Permeability

Value
Units
0.000254 meters
0.0000007
3.99E-09 m^3/(s.m^2.atm/m)
0.000254 meters
0.0000004
2.28E-09 m^3/(s.m^2.atm/m)
0.0001016 meters
0.000002
4.55E-09 m^3/(s.m^2.atm/m)
0.0001016 meters
0.0000007
1.59E-09 m^3/(s.m^2.atm/m)

Discussion
The parts per million readings for carbon dioxide from the analyzer were negative when
the flow rates for Carbon Dioxide and Oxygen gas were set to zero. The problem was dealt with
by adding the minimum value of the flow rate to every single flow rate for each membrane,
resulting in the smallest value being zero, which can be seen in the appendix. Also human error
can affect some of the measurements. Reading the knobs of the flow meters is an example of
human error. Additionally, a slight source of error can result from the changing value on the
ppm screen, meaning that the flow rate across the membrane is not exactly at steady state,
however, that is expected from a real world lab set up.
The lab experiment was overall a success. As the first group to complete this
experiment, we dont have any data to compare ours to. However, we were careful in analyzing
the situation and any errors found by the analyst were quickly fixed to ensure maximum
accuracy in calculations. Our flux-pressure graph looks good and after looking at the
calculations a final time, the expected results make sense. Additionally, very good graphs were
provided from the data. Optimistically, straight lines are ideal because we wanted the slope of a
line in order to calculate the permeability. The R^2 are very close to 1, meaning that the best fit
line resulted from a good model producing a decent trend.

Appendix
Table A.1 Volumetric Flow rate conversions from chart

Table A.2 Calculations performed prior to obtaining results

Flux CO2 First Trial

0.0000007

y = 7E-07x - 2E-08
R = 0.9782

Flux (kmol/m^2s)

0.0000006
0.0000005
0.0000004
0.0000003

Flux CO2

0.0000002

Linear (Flux CO2)

0.0000001
0
-1E-07

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

Pressure (atm)

Figure A.3 Flux CO2 First Trial

Flux CO2 Second Trial

0.0000018
0.0000016

y = 2E-06x - 6E-09
R = 0.9876

Flux (kmol/m.s^2)

0.0000014
0.0000012
0.000001
0.0000008

Series1

0.0000006

Linear (Series1)

0.0000004
0.0000002
0
-2E-07 0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

Pressure (atm)

Figure A.4 Flux CO2 Second Trial

Flux O2 First Trial

0.0000004

y = 4E-07x + 3E-08
R = 0.9946

FLux (kmol/s.m^2)

3.5E-07
0.0000003
2.5E-07
0.0000002

Flux O2

1.5E-07

Linear (Flux O2)

0.0000001
5E-08
0
0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

Pressure (atm)

Figure A.5 Flux O2 First Trial

Flux O2 Second Trial

0.0000007

y = 7E-07x - 2E-08
R = 0.9654

0.0000006

Flux (kmol/s.m^2)

0.0000005
0.0000004
0.0000003

Series1

0.0000002

Linear (Series1)

0.0000001
0
-1E-07

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

Pressure (atm)

Figure A.6 Flux O2 Second Trial