Thermo-osmosis of sorbable gases in porous media.

Abstract The theoretical basis of mixture separation by thermo-osmosis has been developed for two different experimental arrangements. In the first of these two vessels are connected only by a membrane across which a temperature gradient is maintained. Expressions were obtained for the separation factor of binary mixtures in terms of heats of transport, for pressure and composition changes across the membrane, and for determining the heat of transport of each component. In the second arrangement the vessels are connected via the membrane and also by a capillary of appropriate geometry, so that in the steady state there is a constant circulation of each component of the mixture. Expressions have again been derived for the steady state separation factor, and pressure and composition differences for binary mixtures.