Relationship of system properties to performance in facilitated transport systems

A modelling procedure for the prediction of the performance of facilitated transport membranes is presented and illustrated with examples. Measurable system properties are used throughout. There are no empirical or adjustable parameters.The optimal range of the equilibrium constant for the reversible reaction between the gas solute and the carrier has previously been determined as well as the corresponding maximum facilitation factor. These results can be used to determine the optimal property set, to screen potential carrier molecules, as the basis for carrier structural modifications, to indicate the optimal range for the solute feed concentration, and to compare actual to optimal performance.Several uses are given for an analytical solution for the facilitation factor for gas transport. One can estimate the facilitation factor, calculate a single dimensionless number, tanh λ/λ, which can give the degree of facilitation, and use this result as the basis for a data plot to estimate the carrier gas complex diffusion coefficient and the external mass transfer resistance.