Sensitivity Analysis of Process Parameters in Asymmetric Hollow Fiber Membranes for Gas Separation

Modeling of asymmetric hollow fiber membranes can provide useful information about parameters affecting separation of gas mixtures. Besides, assessing the effect of input parameters on the membrane separation performance can provide helpful guidelines about the most influential parameters and their effects on the system behavior. Accurate prediction of membrane separation performance via employing a mathematical model accounting for non-ideal effects followed by applying sensitivity analysis is the main objective of the present research study. Accordingly effect of two process parameters (i.e. pressure and temperature) on the separation performance of hollow fiber membranes for O2/N2 system is investigated. Results reveal that the purities of components are affected mainly by pressure than temperature. The trade-off between membrane selectivity and stage-cut is found to be influential in predicting product purities. Moreover, higher membrane areas as a result of higher fiber length lead to higher fluxes of both components as well as a decrease in oxygen purity. The results and findings in this investigation can effectively be used for analysis of the effects of process parameters on the gas separation membrane performance for practical applications.

Keywords:

Gas separation , Asymmetric hollow fiber , Sensitivity analysis , Pressure , Temperature