Energy efficient membrane processes for the separation of organic liquids: Part 1: Final report, September 28, 1982--December 31, 1986

The potential usefulness of two membrane processes, namely, pervaporation and perstraction, for separating azeotropic mixtures of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons was studied theoretically and experimentally. A third membrane process, osmotic phase-separation, was investigated experimentally. The separation of an azeotropic mixture of benzene and cyclohexane was used as an example. Part II of this report will discuss membrane processes for the separation of alcohol/water mixtures. Mathematical models of pervaporation and perstraction were developed for computer simulations of the processes. The perstraction model presented herein is the first of its kind. Additionally, the energy requirements and capital investments costs for the separation of an azeotropic benzene/cyclohexane mixture were determined and compared with those for extractive distillation. 31 refs., 64 figs., 19 tabs.