A characterization of pdms pervaporation membranes for the removal of trace organic from water

A new silicone pervaporation membrane for the removal of one of trace organies, 1,2-dichloroethane from water has been developed using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and oligomeric silylstyrene as a crosslinking agent of PDMS. Optimal conditions for fabricating the best membrane were determined from swelling measurements ard pervaporation experiments and then the membrane was characterized at different membrane thickness and operating conditions. In the pervaporation separation of 55–70 ppm of l,2-dichlorocthanc aqueous mixtures, the developed membrane has flux of 2.5–330 g/(m2.h) and selectivity of 230–1750 depending on membrane thickness, permeate pressure and operating Temperature. Water permeation through thin membrane was found to be subjected to significant desorption resistance, while the desorption resistance and thermodynamic factors as well as the concentration polarization of the organic at the boundary layer in feed can affect the organic permeation, depending on membrane thickness. Selectivity change with permcaic pressure depends on membrane thickness: at small membrane thickness range, selectivity increases with permeate pressure and at large thickness region it decreases. From the Arrhenius plots of each component fluxes, the permeation activation energies were determined. Through an analysis of the permeation activation energies of each components, the desorption resistance as well as the effects of the thermodynamic factors on permeation was qualitatively characterized.