Modeling of permeators with two different types of polymer membranes

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Abstract
Mathematical models have been developed for the separation of binary gas mixtures in permeator modules housing two different types of membranes simultaneously. The membranes are selected so as to exhibit reverse selectivities toward the components of a mixture, i.e., so that one membrane is more permeable to one of the components while the second membrane is more permeable to the other component. The mathematical models describe the membrane separation process for three kinds of flow patterns of the permeated (low pressure) and unpermeated (high pressure) gas streams in the permeator, namely, “perfect mixing,” counter‐current flow, and cocurrent flow. Numerical solutions of the models indicate that the extent of separation achievable in a two‐membrane permeator can be much higher than in a conventional single‐membrane permeator. Also, for given product compositions, the membrane area requirements of the former permeator can be lower than those of the latter. Countercurrent flow is generally the most efficient flow pattern in a two‐membrane permeator, and “perfect mixing” is the least efficient one, but the opposite is true under special operating conditions.

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