REVERSE OSMOSIS SEPARATION OF GLUCOSE-ETHANOL-WATER SYSTEM BY CELLULOSE ACETATE MEMBRANES

The separation of glucose-ethanol mixed solutes from aqueous solutions was attempted by cellulose acetate membranes of different average pore sizes and pore size distributions at the operating pressure of 6895 kPag (=1000 psig) and at the feed glucose concentration ranging from 2000 to 75000 ppm while maintaining ethanol concentrations at 1/5 to 1/2 of the glucose concentration. Using chosen reference solutes the pore size distribution on the membrane surface was characterized by two normal distributions. It was found that ethanol is attracted to the cellulose acetate membrane material more strongly at the higher glucose concentration in the feed solution, and consequently the separation of ethanol solute is brought down at higher glucose concentrations. These results are attributed to lowering of solubility of ethanol in the solvent when a greater amount of glucose is in the solvent.