CONCENTRATION POLARIZATION OCCURRING INSIDE THE MEMBRANE DURING STEADY STATE PERVAPORATION

Experimental profiles of a single penetrant (water) across the membrane have been established at different downstream pressures during steady state pervaporation. The profiles ofacetic acid-water binary penetrant system across the membrane were also measured at different downstream pressures, temperatures and compositions during steady state pervaporation. A stack of identical pre-characterized symmetric aromatic polyamide membranes was used for the profile study. The theoretical prediction of concentration polarization from mathematical equations has been confirmed by the experimental profile data for a binary penetrant system.