Separations

Dual-layer PBI/P84 hollow fibers for pervaporation dehydration of acetone

  1. Gui Min Shi,
  2. Yan Wang,
  3. Tai-Shung Chung*

Article first published online: 27 APR 2011

DOI: 10.1002/aic.12625

Issue

AIChE Journal

AIChE Journal

Volume 58, Issue 4, pages 1133–1145, April 2012

Additional Information

How to Cite

Shi, G. M., Wang, Y. and Chung, T.-S. (2012), Dual-layer PBI/P84 hollow fibers for pervaporation dehydration of acetone. AIChE J., 58: 1133–1145. doi: 10.1002/aic.12625

Author Information

  1. Dept. of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore 117576

*Dept. of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore 117576

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 8 MAR 2012
  2. Article first published online: 27 APR 2011
  3. Accepted manuscript online: 22 MAR 2011 02:54PM EST
  4. Manuscript Revised: 2 MAR 2011
  5. Manuscript Received: 29 OCT 2010

Funded by

  • A-STAR
  • NUS. Grant Number: R-279-000-288-305

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Keywords:

  • pervaporation dehydration;
  • polybenzimidazole;
  • dual-layer hollow fiber membrane;
  • acetone;
  • thermal treatment;
  • crosslinking

Abstract

Acetone dehydration via pervaporation is challenging, because acetone and water have close molecular sizes, and acetone has a much higher vapor pressure than water. Acetone is also a powerful solvent, which dissolves or swells most polymers. We have developed novel polybenzimidazole/BTDA-TDI/MDI (PBI/P84) dual-layer hollow fibers for pervaporation dehydration of acetone for industrial and biofuel separations. Both thermal and chemical crosslinking modifications were applied to the membranes to investigate their effectiveness to overcome acetone-induced swelling. Thermal treatment can effectively enhance separation performance, but performance stability can only be achieved through the crosslinking modification of PBI. Crosslinking by p-xylene dichloride followed by a thermal treatment above 250°C show significant effectiveness to improve and stabilize pervaporation performance. The fractional free volume of the PBI selective layer reduces from 3.27 to 1.98% and 1.33%, respectively, after thermal treatment and a combination of chemical/thermal crosslinking modifications characterized by positron annihilation spectroscopy. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012

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