The Pilot-scale pervaporation plant using tubular-type Module with zeolite NaA membrane

NaA zeolite membranes composed of a continuous intergrowth of NaA zeolite crystals had been synthesized hydrothermally on the surface of a porous tubular support (14 mm outer diameter, 25 cm length). The membrane was highly selective for permeating water preferentially with the high permeation flux in pervaporation (PV). Thus, the pilot- scale PV plant which produces 5 l/h of solvent (EtOH) at less than 0.2 wt.% of water from 90 wt.% solvent at 75°C has been put into pilot operation. The pilot plant is equipped with 1 module that consists of 14 pieces of NaA zeolite membrane tubes. The successful fabrication of the pilot plant and the high level of PV properties of the module are discussed.

Keywords:

Pervaporation , pilot plant , NaA , Zeolite , Membrane