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Mechanisms of gas permeation through polymer membranes

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6169140· OSTI ID:6169140

The objective of the present study is to investigate the mechanisms of gas transport in and through polymer membranes and the dependence of these mechanisms on pressure and temperature. This information is required for the development of new, energy-efficient membrane processes for the separation of industrial gas mixtures. Such processes are based on the selective permeation of the components of gas mixtures through nonporous polymer membranes. Recent work has been focused on the permeation of gases through membranes made from glassy polymers, i.e., at temperatures below the glass transition of the polymers (Tg). Glassy polymers are very useful membrane materials for gas separations because of their high selectivity toward different gases. Gases permeate through nonporous polymer membranes by a solution-diffusion'' process. Consequently, in order to understand the characteristics of this process it is necessary to investigate also the mechanisms of gas solution and diffusion in glassy polymers. 23 refs., 10 figs., 4 tabs.

Research Organization:
Syracuse Univ., NY (United States). Dept. of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
FG02-87ER13649
OSTI ID:
6169140
Report Number(s):
DOE/ER/13649-5; ON: DE92004423
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English