A Simple Analysis for Gas Separation Membrane Experiments
Richard A. Davis
 
Department of Chemical Engineering
University of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN   55812

and

Orville C. Sandall
 
Department of Chemical Engineering
University of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA   93106

Abstract

A simple analysis of a membrane gas separation experiment is described that is based on an assumption of a linear function of trans-membrane partial pressure with retentate flow rate. This assumption permits the use a logarithmic mean driving force for gas permeation. Undergraduate students with the aid of modern computational software readily solve the resulting algebraic model equations. The Chen approximation to the log-mean is recommended to avoid divergence in the iterative solution to the nonlinear equations. Sample calculations are included.