DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Particle Technology PTCT101

Surname, Initials Student Number/s Student Signature

Lallie, R S 22041531

STUDENT/S
INFORMATION

ASSIGNMENT TOPIC Membrane Separation technology

GROUP ID -

DUE DATE 28th November 2022

SUBMISSION DATE 28th November 2022

EXAMINER/LECTURER Mr Marvin Potgieter

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the module particle technology in the
department of chemical engineering, at Durban University of Technology

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 Declaration

I, Racquel Sherise Lallie, declare that the contents of this report are my own and any intellectual
property owned by others have been referenced using DUT Harvard referencing.

Student signature

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 Acknowledgments

The author of this report would like to express their gratitude to the lecturer Mr Marvin
Potgieter for his guidance through this assignment and notes that were provided by him.

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 Summary

Membrane separation technology is a vital process in separating fluids or particles in an

efficient way. It involves the use of a semi permeable membrane that allows a certain fluid to
pass while the other isn’t allowed to flow through. By this principle, separation can be achieved.
It is relevant to industries for uses in cleaner technology and in addressing environmental
concerns.

This report focuses on the process of membrane separation, the various technologies and the
important parameters that are involved. The objectives were to:

• Investigate the various technologies employed

• Identify characteristics of membrane separation and materials used
• Classify the separation processes
• Identify the application by use of equations

The relevance of this was to understand the working principles of this separation technique to
find more ways to optimize or use this knowledge in the industry Sinnott (2006:234).

From the research conducted, it was found that the factors affecting the operation are
temperature, flowrate, and air gaps. These factors can be varied to find the optimum range for
operation so the process may be more energy saving and cost effective. Research journals were
consulted with to confirm the theory stated.

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 Table of Contents

Declaration ................................................................................................................................. 2
Acknowledgments...................................................................................................................... 3
Summary .................................................................................................................................... 4
Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................... 5
Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 6
Theory ........................................................................................................................................ 7

List of figures
Figure 1: Effect of feed concentration on selectivity and flux(Adopted from
Matheswaran(2007:551) ............................................................................................................ 8
Figure 2: Effect of feed temperature on selectivity and flux(Adopted from
Matheswaran(2007:551) ............................................................................................................ 8
Figure 3: Effect of air gap thickness of membrane on selectivity and flux (Adopted from
Matheswaran(2007:551) ............................................................................................................ 9
Figure 4: Range of separation sizes for the various modes of membrane separation .............. 11
Figure 5: Batch separation ....................................................................................................... 17
Figure 6: Continuous separation .............................................................................................. 17
Figure 7: Multistage separation ............................................................................................... 18

List of tables
Table 1: Different membrane modules and their advantages and disadvantages .................... 13

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 1.Introduction
1.1 Membrane Separation

Membrane separation technology is a type of separation process whereby a ‘membrane’ is used

to separate compounds or substances of a mixture by rejecting one substance and providing a
passage for the desired compound to flow through. A membrane is a type of barrier that can be
either permeable, non-permeable or selectively permeable. In membrane technology, semi
permeable membranes are used as they are very selective with which substances are allowed
to pass through. It also acts as an interface between two phases of a substance.

1.2 Relevance

The use of membrane separation is mostly chemical industrial but may apply to environmental
applications as well. It is a part of clean technology as well as energy saving techniques. The
relevance of this assignment is to investigate the different membrane separation processes and
understand the operation of the overall process. It is also significant to identify the factors that
affect the efficiency of the process to understand how to optimize it and maintain it effectively.

The uses can be divided into 6 different industrial processes namely: microfiltration,
ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, electro dialysis, gas separation and pervaporation.

1.3 Layout

This report includes a summary of membrane technology, an introduction to the subject and
following that is all the necessary theory that is involved along with equations and range of
parameters used.

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 2. Theory
2.1 Principles of membrane separation
The underlying principles of membrane separation involves the permeability of the material of
the membrane. The driving force for the separation includes pressure, concentration, and
electric potential. The membrane behaves as a filter that allows the required substance to pass
through while preventing the other substance from passing with. The resulting products are
often miscible. Complete separation is not always achievable as there are hinderances that
affect the process.

2.2 Main Factors affecting the process

There are two main factors that are membrane dependent these are stated as follows:

Selectivity

This is expressed as a parameter that describes the retention ability of the membrane. The
selectivity of the membrane is a factor that must be known prior to the process. It allows for
one to know which substances are permeable through the membrane and which aren’t. The
undesired substance will not pass through.

Productivity

This parameter is expressed as flux which can be the solvent or solute that passes through the
membrane at a specified speed over a particular area of the membrane. This parameter does
not necessarily have to be exceedingly high; a moderate rate will allow for sufficient separation
with less potential of failure.

2.3 Other factors

A research article by Matheswaran (2007:553) on the different factors that affect membrane
separation was consulted with and the factors are stated below:

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Feed concentration
As shown in figure 1 and from the research conducted, the feed concentration causes the flux
to decrease as it is increased displaying and indirectly proportional relationship. This is because
a more concentrated substance will pose more difficulty in flowing at a faster rate over an area.
The selectivity also decreases with the same justification as the flux.

Figure 1: Effect of feed concentration on selectivity and flux (Adopted from Matheswaran (2007:551)

Feed temperature
The effect of the feed temperature can be seen in figure 2 below. As the temperature is
increased, the selectivity decreases. This would stand because at high temperature, the
membrane will begin to lose its retention ability as internal damage can be caused. It is also
noted that as the temperature increases, the flux increases. At higher temperatures, particles
begin to move more vigorously as their kinetic energy increases causing flowrate to increase
as well.

Figure 2: Effect of feed temperature on selectivity and flux (Adopted from Matheswaran (2007:551)

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Air gap thickness
The effect of the air gap thickness on selectivity and flux is seen in figure 3. For both selectivity
and flux the air gap thickness increases these parameters. Larger gap thickness enables the
permeability of the membrane allowing more of the desired fluid or substance to pass through.

Figure 3: Effect of air gap thickness of membrane on selectivity and flux (Adopted from Matheswaran (2007:551)

Feed flow rate

Theoretically, an increased flowrate will in turn increase the flux because flux is directly
proportional to the flowrate. Higher flowrates will speed up the process. The selectivity
however will not increase entirely because at higher flowrates, the membrane is more
susceptible to damage and a reduction in separation efficiency.

Coolant Temperature
Additionally, a coolant is sometimes used to drop the temperature of the feed. The coolant
temperature will have the same impact as feed temperature. Increased temperatures will
increase the flux but decrease the selectivity.

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2.3 Characteristics of Membrane technology
The products that are involved in the separation are usually miscible. This would entail that
they can mix easily with each other.

The agent that is used for the separation is a semipermeable barrier. This type of barrier is
selective in which fluid can pass through it.

Complete separation isn’t possible; however, the process can be multistage. In multistage
membrane separation, the substance undergoes a series of membrane separation until the
highest possible concentration or purity of that substance is achieved.

Desired characteristics of membranes

• Fair/Moderate Permeability – the membrane should have the ability to allow substances
to pass through efficiently
• High Selectivity – the membrane should have the ability to completely restrict the flow
of the other substance while allowing the desired one to pass through

• Chemical and mechanical compatibility – it should be compatible with the feed that
enters
• Less Fouling- Fouling reduces separation efficiency as it causes dirt to build up and
hinder the separation. This must be avoided

• Durability- the membrane should be durable such that it would not need a replacement
so frequently so it can be cost effective

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2.4 Classification of membrane technology
Reverse osmosis – this is a type of water purification process that uses a semi permeable
membrane to separate ions to usually produce clean drinking water.

Dialysis – this separation process is based on the membrane in which a concentration gradient
will cause the smaller molecules to permeate from one side of the membrane to the other

Electrodialysis – this is an electrochemical membrane separation process in which ions are

transferred through a selective ion exchange membrane from one solution to the other using an
electric field as the driving force.

Microfiltration – this process is used to separate finer particles, the pores of the membrane are
usually between 0,5 to 10 micrometres

Gas permeation – this is solely focused on the separation of gases by permeating selectively
one component of a gaseous mixture

Pervaporation – this membrane separation technique is applied to volatile compounds (ones

that evaporate easily). It creates a vacuum or introduces a purge of gas on one side of a dense
membrane.

The range of separation sizes that are allowed are shown in the following figure:

Figure 4: Range of separation sizes for the various modes of membrane separation

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2.5 Membrane Materials
The types of materials that are generally used are:
• Natural Polymers
• Synthetic polymers
• Inorganic Material

For specified types of polymers:

Polymer membranes
• Dense amorphous
• Microporous membrane
• Asymmetric

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2.6 Membrane modules
• Hollow fibres

• Monolithic

• Spiral wound

• Plate and frame

• Four leaf spiral wound

• Tubular

Comparison of membrane modules

Table 1: Different membrane modules and their advantages and disadvantages

System Advantages Disadvantages

Plate and • Low hold up volume • Difficult to clean
frame • Easy membrane replacement • Susceptible to plugging
Spiral • Compact • Not suitable for viscous
• Low capital cost fluid
• Dead spaces
Hollow fibre • Low hold up volume • Not suitable for viscous
• Low energy consumption fluids
• Single fibre damage
Tubular • Feed stream can be put • High energy consumption
through membrane • High hold up volume
• Easy to clean

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2.7 Main equations
Osmotic Pressure
This type of pressure is applied to the side of a solution to restrict or completely stop the motion
of fluid by osmosis when there is a semi permeable membrane that is present between a solution
and pure water. It is dependent on the temperature, number of moles and volume of a solution.
This value is determined by Eq 1 below:

𝑛
𝜋 = 𝑉 𝑅𝑇………………………….…………. Eq 1
𝑚

Where n represents the number of moles

Vm is the volume of pure solvent in m3
R is the ideal gas constant in atm/kg mol K
T is the temperature in kelvin K

Flux equations
Diffusion of solvent
The diffusion of the solvent through the membrane is also termed as the water flux. It is
depended on variables such as osmotic pressure hydrostatic pressure and dimensions of the
membrane. This value describes the total mass of solvent that passes per a specified area of the
membrane and is determined by Eq 2 as shown below:

𝑃
𝑁𝑤 = 𝐿 𝑤 (∆𝑃 − ∆𝜋) = 𝐴𝑤 (∆𝑃 − ∆𝜋)……………...………. Eq 2
𝑚

Where Nw is the solvent (water flux) in kg/s m2

Pw is the solvent membrane permeability in kg/s.m.atm
Lm is the thickness of the membrane in meters, m
Aw is the permeability constant kg/m s2
∆𝑃 is the hydrostatic pressure (difference between two pressure points) in kPa
∆𝜋 is the osmotic pressure in kPa
The permeability constant can then be determined using Eq 2-1
𝑃
𝐴𝑤 = 𝐿 𝑤 …………………...…………. Eq 2-1
𝑚

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Diffusion of solute
The diffusion of the solute, known as salt flux, describes the amount of solute that passes the
membrane at a rate within a specified area. It is significantly dependent on the concentration
of solute within the stream path.

𝐷𝑠 𝐾𝑠
𝑁𝑠 = (𝑐1 − 𝑐2 ) = 𝐴𝑠 (𝑐1 − 𝑐2 )……………….………. Eq 3
𝐿𝑚

Where Ns is the solute flux in kg/s.m2

Ds is the diffusivity of the solute in the membrane m2/s
Ks is the distribution coefficient cm/c
c1 is the solute concentration upstream kg/m3
c2 is the solute concentration downstream kg/m3
The permeability constant As, can be determined as shown below:
𝐷𝑠 𝐾 𝑠
𝐴𝑠 = 𝐿𝑚
…………….……………………. Eq 3-1

Dead-end microfiltration model

In filtration processes with relatively finer particles that require separation, a membrane is used
in place to replace filter paper. As time proceeds the particles begin to build up into a cake and
the solution (permeate) is then allowed to flow through. The solvent flux is determined using
Eq 4 shown below:

∆𝑃
𝑁𝑤 = 𝜇(𝑅 ……………………………. Eq 4
𝑚 +𝑅𝑐 )

Where Nw is the solvent flux in kg/s m2

µ is the viscosity in Pa. s
Rm is the membrane resistance in m2/kg
Rc is the cake resistance in m2/kg

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General Membrane equation
The general membrane equation is an attempt to state the factors which may be important in
determining the membrane permeation rate (Coulson and Richardson 2002: 442). The equation
is shown in Eq 5

∆𝑃−∆π
𝐽= ………………………………….. Eq 5
𝜇(𝑅𝑚 +𝑅𝑐 )

Where J is the membrane flux in m3/m2

P is the membrane pressure in kPa
The remaining variables have already been defined

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2.8 Diagrams
The flow diagrams provided below display the different modes of separation. These include
Batch, continuous and multistage.

Batch separation
This type of separation is when the feed is allowed to enter the membrane and after a time, the
product is then withdrawn. It is used for substances that require a larger time to separate.

Figure 5: Batch separation

Continuous Separation
This operation of separation can lead to a more refined and purer product.

Figure 6: Continuous separation

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Multistage separation
As stated, before this is used to achieve a highly concentrated product and consists of multiple
membranes that can either be in series or parallel.

Figure 7: Multistage separation

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 References

• Sinnott, R.K. 2003. Coulson and Richardson’s Chemical engineering: Chemical

engineering design. 6th ed. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.

• Coulson and Richardson. 2002. Chemical Engineering: Particle technology and

separation processes. 5th ed. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.

• Haghi, A. K., Pogliani, L. and Balkose, D. 2018. Applied Chemistry in chemical

engineering. United States of America: Academic Press.
• H. Udriot, A. Araque, and U. von Stockar. 1994.Chemical Engineering. J., 54(87)

• C. Gostoli and G. C. Sarti, J. 1989. Membrane Science., 41(211).

• N. Couffin, C. Cabassud, and V. Lahoussine-Turcaud. 1998. Desalination, 117 (233).

• Matheswaran, N. 2007. Factors affecting flux and water separation: membrane

separation. Journal of industrial and engineering chemistry, 13(6): 540-732.

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