Experimental measurement of membrane residue curve maps

Membrane residue curve maps (M-RCMs) are a useful graphical tool developed to better understand and design membrane separations [ Peters, M., Kauchali, S., Hildebrandt, D., and Glasser, D. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2006, 45, 9080 ]. The maps, initially developed theoretically, track the compositional change of the retentate with time during batch permeation. This article looks at the design and construction of an experimental apparatus for the measurement and existence of M-RCMs. For demonstration purposes, gas separation was chosen for the basis of the membrane separation system. The gas mixture, which consisted of syngas with carbon dioxide as an impurity, was passed through a polyethylene membrane. The theoretical transport of gases moving through the membrane was developed by a solution diffusion model that fitted the experimental system adequately. The experimental setup was successfully designed and operated; the results obtained correlate to the theoretical models chosen. In addition, the experimental apparatus can be used for the validation of M-RCMs for any type of membrane and mixture of gases.