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Computational simulation of gas separation using nonporous polymeric membranes: Experimental and theoretical studies
Author(s) -
Marjani Azam,
Abkhiz Vahid,
Fadaei Farzad
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.23865
Subject(s) - polydimethylsiloxane , membrane , permeation , materials science , gas separation , permeability (electromagnetism) , chemical engineering , polymer , porous medium , porosity , composite material , chemistry , biochemistry , engineering
In this study, preparation and simulation of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membranes for gas separation is carried out. The membranes are synthesized by solution‐casting method via silicon oil as precursor. Gas permeation experiments for single gases of CH 4 and N 2 were conducted at different feed pressures (2–10 bars). PDMS membrane as a rubbery polymer showed that are more permeable toward more condensable gases, i.e., CH 4 compared to N 2 . It was indicated that increasing feed pressure enhances permeability of CH 4 through the membrane slightly, but the permeability of nitrogen was almost constant over enhancement of feed pressure. Moreover, a mathematical model was developed to predict the permeation of gases across PDMS membrane. The model is based on solving conservation equations for gases in the membrane phase. Finite element analysis was utilized for numerical simulation of the governing equations. The simulation results were used to predict the concentration of gases inside the membrane. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:54–59, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers