Membrane Separation

Rosmazlyana Azia Binti Rosli (2021887912)

Abstract— The membrane separation technique to be separated and the degree of driving force provide criteria
involves rejecting undesirable chemicals and that were used to classified membrane separation processes, as
shown in table below,
allowing the others to pass through the membrane to
separate the components in a solution. Based on Table 1. Classification of Membrane Separation Process
relative penetration rates, the membrane's function
also involves altering the composition of a solution.
The membrane's capacity to hinder, control, or
improve permeability can be used to gauge its
performance. The SOLTEQ Membrane Test Unit
TR14 is used in this experiment to carry out the
membrane separation process. In this experiment,
four different membrane types, reverse osmosis, 1.Microfiltration 
nanofiltration process, ultrafiltration process and Microfiltration is a membrane separation method that
microfiltration process were studied to identify the uses membranes with pore sizes ranging from 0.05 to 10m and
characteristics for each type. The data was collected an operating pressure of less than 2 bar to remove particles
for each membrane and the Permeate Mass Flux has with an average molecular weight more than 400kDa.In micro
filtration, pressure-driven flow through the membrane is used
been calculated in Table 2. For membrane 1, to separate micro-sized particles from fluids. Usually, the
membrane 2, membrane 3 and membrane 4 are particles are larger than those in ultrafiltration.
18.347 g/min, 33.379 g/min, 12.114 g/min, and
177.521 g/min respectively. This is shown that the 2.Ultrafiltration
microfiltration process is the fastest separation Ultrafiltration is a water purification method that
involves forcing water through a semipermeable membrane by
process and the most permeable than others while
differentiates based on molecular size, shape, and chemical
the nanofiltration process is the slowest separation structure. Suspended particles and high-molecular-weight
process and less permeable. The result and the solutes remain on the retentate side of the membrane, while
objective have been successfully determined and the water and low-molecular-weight solutes filter through to the
experiment is conducted successfully. permeate side.
 
Keywords—Membrane; separation; osmosis; 3.
Reverse Osmosis
nanofiltration; An applied pressure is employed in reverse osmosis
to counteract osmotic pressure and drive the water from a high
I. INTRODUCTION concentration of impurities to a low concentration of
The separation process by using membrane contaminants.
separation that operates without the needs of heating or boiling
and therefore uses lesser energy and low cost if it is to be 4.Nanofiltration
compared with other conventional separation processes such Nanofiltration is a liquid-separation membrane
as sublimation, crystallization or distillation. In membrane technique that has many features with reverse osmosis. This
separation, the feed stream is divided into two which permeate process where the liquid-phase separation removing dissolved
and retentate. Permeate is a part of the feed that can diffuse solids, carried out by means of membranes.
through the membrane while the retentate is the remaining that
is not able to diffuse through the membrane. Meanwhile, the This experiment was conducted to differentiate the
membrane used as a semi permeable barrier and separation characteristic of 4 type of membrane which is,
process happens depending on the membrane’s ability to allow
rate of movement of molecules whether it is between two I. Membrane 1: AFC 99 (Polyamide Film)
liquid phases, two gas phases or liquid-gas phases. Normally, II. Membrane 2: AFC 40 (Polyamide Film)
the two fluid phases are miscible, and the barrier prohibits III. Membrane 3: CA 202 (Cellulose Acetate)
natural dynamic flow from occurring. The size of components
 IV. Membrane 4: FP 100 (Polyvinylidene Fluoride IV. PROCEDURES (GAMBAR APPARATUS)

II. OBJECTIVES a) General Start up

a) To study the charateristics of 4 different types of 1. All the valves are closed.
2. Sodium Chloride (NaCl) solution is prepared by
membrane silicon in terms of separation process.
100 gram of sodium chloride mixed with 2o L of
b) To plot the graph of pemeate weight versus time. water. The feed tank is filled up with salt
solution.
III. THEORY
3. The power control panel was turned on. All the
Additional information in theory extracted from resources sensors and indicators are checked to ensure all
cited in references, concise and closely related to the the items are functioning well.
experiment.
Separation techniques utilizing separation b) Experiment
membranes are slowly gaining popularity in the industrial 1. The experiment started with Membrane 1. Valve
sector. This is because, as compared to other traditional V2, V5,V7,V1 and V15 were opened.
separation techniques like sublimation, crystallization, or 2. Plunger pump (P1) were switched on and valve
distillation, membrane separation uses less energy and is less V5 were slowly closed. Pressure value is
expensive because it doesn't require heating or boiling. The observed at pressure gauge and pressure
feed stream is split into two during membrane separation, regulator were adjusted to be maintained at
permeate and retentate. Permeate is the portion of the feed that 18Kpa.
can permeate past the membrane, and retentate is the 3. Valve 5 was fully opened, and maximum
remaining portion that cannot pass through it. membrane inlet pressure was maintained at 18
kPa for Membrane 1 by adjusting the retentate
Almost every element or compound is found control valve (V15).
naturally in an impure state such as a mixture of two or more 4. The system operated for about 5 minutes before
substances. The separation process is needed to separate it into took the first sample. Valve V19 and were fully
its individual components. A typical chemical plant is a opened and V11 were fully closed
chemical reactor surrounded by separators membrane. simultaneously. The first sample from permeate
sampling port were collected and weighed using
Membrane separation processes is very essential in digital weighing balance.
the separation industry. The processes is conducted without 5. The weight of permeate were recorded and
heating and thus use less energy than conventional thermal tabulated for 10 minutes with 1 minutes interval.
separation process which are distillation, sublimation 6. Step 1 until step 6 were repeated for Membrane
or crystallization. Membrane is a selective barricade that 2,3 and 4. Sets of valves were opened and closed
allows the separation of some species in a fluid by according to table below,
combination of filtering and adsorption diffusion method
selectively permeating one or more components of a stream Table 2. The permeates weight of samples.
through the membrane whilst hindering the channel of one or
Memb Opened Sampling Retentate Membrane
other components. Membrane processes can be described by a rane Valves Valve control maximum
feed stream that is divided into 2 which are retentate and valve inlet
permeate. The permeate is that part of the feed that can pass pressure
through the membrane. The elective "sweep “is a gas or liquid 1 V2, V5, V19 V15 18
that is used to assist eliminate the permeate. The significance V7,V11 opened
of the component in membrane separation is known as the and V15 and V11
solute. The solute can be held on the membrane and eliminate closed
in the retentate or passed through the membrane in the 2 V2,V5, V20 V16 12
permeate. V8,V12 opened
and V16 and V12
closed
Several variables influence penetration rate and 3 V2.V5. V21 V17 10
transport mechanism. The amount of the driving force and the V9.V13 opened
size of the penetrating molecule relative to the size of the and V17 and V13
accessible permanent are two examples of these factors. The closed
chemical composition of the permeant and the material used to 4 V2,V5, V22 V18 8.5
construct the membrane (dispersive, polar, ionic, and so on) V10,V1 opened
may also have an influence on the separation. The membrane 4 and andV14
process conditions must be carefully developed yet the V18 closed
membrane characteristics define the performance limitations.
 c) General Shut down V. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
1. The plunger pump is switched off.
Table 3. The permeates weight of samples.
2. Valve V2 is closed.
3. All liquid in the feed tank and product tank is
drained by opening valve V3 and V4. Time Weight of Sample (g)
4. All the piping is flushed with clean water. Valve (min)
3 and valve 4 are closed.
Membrane Membrane Membrane Membrane
5. Clean water is filled up to feed tank ¾ full tank.
1 2 3 4
6. The system is run with clean water until the feed
is nearly empty.
1 29.95 200.54 12.98 168.02
Materials
2 46.87 219.79 21.86 323.5
a) 100 g Sodium Chloride
b) 20L Water 3 63.25 228.45 34.87 480.65
Apparatus 4 79.95 238.94 48.75 633.48
a) TR-14 SEOLTEQ Membrane Test Unit Membrane Used:
5 96.76 249.41 60.64 825.06
I. AFC 99 (Polyamide Film)
II. AFC 40 (Polyamide Film) 6 114.45 264.72 73.24 998.67
III. CA 202 (Cellulose Acetate)
IV. FP 100 (Polyvinylidene Fluoride) 7 131.48 283.50 85.68 1167.80

8 148.74 302.07 98.79 1330.09

9 166.27 317.49 108.44 1510.85

10 183.47 333.79 121.14 1775.21

Calculation for Permeate Mass Flux

Final Permeate Weight, P = Final Permeate Weight, (g) /

Time, (min)

For Membrane 1:
Final Permeate Weight, P = 183.47 g / 10 min
Fig. 1. ( TR-14 SEOLTEQ Membrane Test Unit Membrane).
= 18.347 g/min
For Membrane 2:
Final Permeate Weight, P = 333.79 g / 10 min

= 33.379 g/min
For Membrane 3:
Final Permeate Weight, P = 121.24 g / 10 min
= 12.124 g/min

Table 4. The Permeate Flux for Each Membrane

Membrane Membrane Membrane Membrane
1 2 3 4

Permeate 18.347 33.379 12.114 177.521

Mass
Flux
(g/min)
 From the graph (Fig 2), the fastest rate of separation
is membrane 4 which is 177.521 g/min with the highest
amount of sample of permeate which is 1775.21 g passing
through the membrane. The feed flows through the very
permeable membrane which is microfiltration. The
microfiltration separation process allows only molecules
smaller than 0.1 m to pass through, demonstrating the
membrane's ability to separate a purer permeate at a faster
rate. Furthermore, the Polyvinylidene Fluoride is hydrophilic
in nature. Because permeate is primarily composed of water
molecules, it easily travels through the membrane, resulting in
Fig. 2. (Graph of Permeate Weight vs Time).
the largest mass of permeate going through compared to other
membranes.
The main purpose of the experiment is to investigate
Membrane 1 has a higher separation rate than
the properties of four different types of membranes. The
membrane 3. Large molecules can flow through the membrane
membranes are employed as separating mediums to separate
to undergo reverse osmosis. As a result, the separation should
sodium chloride from its solution, which is made by
be greatest among the others. Furthermore, because the
dissolving 100g of sodium chloride in 20L of water. Figure 2
Polyamide Film is hydrophilic, water molecules can easily
depicts the permeate weight vs time graph for the following
travel through the membrane. However, significant pressure is
membranes: AFC 99 Polyamide Film (Membrane 1), AFC 40
required to overcome osmotic pressure in this process.
Polyamide Film (Membrane 2), CA 202 Cellulose Acetate
Because 18 kPa may not be high enough to counteract the
(Membrane 3) and FP 100 Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF)
osmotic pressure, the solution may not flow smoothly across
(Membrane 4).  All the membrane data has been recorded for
the membrane. As a result, the separation rate is reduced. 
10 min long. 
For membrane 2, the rate of separation is lower that
The graph indicates that each membrane could
membrane 4, which is membrane 2 is the second place in
extract sodium chloride from its solution. Nonetheless, the
order of rate reaction. Although membranes 1 and 2 are made
separation rate with membrane 4 is the greatest, followed by
of the same materials, membrane 2 is more hydrophilic and
membrane 2, membrane 1, and membrane 3, in that order. The
has a larger nodular structure than membrane 1. The reduced
membranes 1, 2, 3, and 4 undergo 4 types of process which are
separation rate could be due to sodium chloride molecules
reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and
blocking part of the membrane's pore, inhibiting solution
microfiltration processes, respectively. As separation
passage across the membrane. On the plus side, the permeate
mechanisms that were highly reliant on the pressure gradient.
is purer than that obtained by membrane 4 separation.
A higher pressure result in a faster separation rate. Because the
Furthermore, because the Polyamide Film is hydrophilic,
pressure is held constant at 18 kPa, the separation rate is
water molecules can easily travel through the membrane.
mostly determined by the membrane's permeability, the
process the solution goes through, and the type of the material
employed for the membrane. CONCLUSION

Membrane 3 is the slowest rate separation than the The goal of this experiment has been achieved, which
others, the permeate sample collecting for membrane 3 is is that the four membranes have been identified. The
121.24 g. The rate of separation for membrane 3 is 12.124g weight acquired for each membrane increases as the
within 10 minutes. The feed which is sodium chloride is membrane is used. Furthermore, each membrane exhibits
passing through the nanofiltration process which can separate the same pattern of the outlet with a distinct value of the
the nano size molecule lower than 0.0002m from the solution. outlet's weight. Membranes 1, 2, 3, and 4 used reverse
The size of materials that can be removed during filtration osmosis, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and microfiltration
depends upon the size of the pores of the filter. Because the processes respectively, which are highly dependent on
membrane's porosity is so small, a blockage at the pore could pressure gradient, and pressure 18 KPa was established as
be the cause of the solution's inability to pass through the constant in this experiment.
membrane. This demonstrates the membrane's positive site
since it enables the production of purer permeate because even Based on the graph, the value of weight of output for
minute particles are trapped at the membrane's pore. each membrane progressively increases as the time for
Nevertheless, cellulose acetate is hydrophobic by nature. each membrane increases. The smaller the pore size of the
Because permeate is mostly composed of water molecules, membrane will yield the purer permeate from the
this could explain why the mass of permeate for the membrane solution. Based on the sample weight data (Table 3) for
is the smallest. each membrane, membrane 4 was found as the fastest in
the separation process and the most in membrane 4, the
microfiltration procedure that allows molecules smaller is no error in collecting sample products. Please make
than 0.1m to pass through demonstrates the membrane's sure the machine is operating 5 minutes before starting to
capacity to separate a purer permeate.  open valve 5, to make sure the feed is flowing in the
membrane and not leaking in the filtration. The factor
Meanwhile, membrane 3 was the slowest to separate affecting the result is when valve 5 is open and starts to
and the least permeable. The nanofiltration method, which collect the sample right after the power is switched on.
can separate nanosized molecules from solutions with
concentrations ranging from 0.002m to 0.001m, results in
a low permeation from the separation process. Aside from REFERENCES
that, a blockage at the membrane's pore might be the [1] Ghasemian, M., & Rahimpour, E. (2022). Application of computational
fluid dynamics technique in dialysis processes. Elsevier eBooks, 209–
cause of the solution's inability to flow through the 245. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-822294-2.00003-5
membrane. Finally, the experiment's goal of defining the [2] De Ortiz, E. P. (2008). MEMBRANE PROCESSES. Begellhouse
characteristics of the membrane in the separation process eBooks. https://doi.org/10.1615/atoz.m.membrane_processes
was met permeable, followed by membranes 2, 1, and 3. [3] Bernardo, P., Drioli, E., & Golemme, G. (2009). Membrane Gas
  Separation: A Review/State of the Art. Industrial & Engineering
Chemistry Research, 48(10), 4638–4663.
https://doi.org/10.1021/ie8019032
RECOMMENDATIONS
[4] Synder Filtration. (2020, October 30). Membrane Processes: An
To get an accurate result, must ensure that the Introduction. Synder Filtration |. https://synderfiltration.com/learning-
weighing balance is set to zero when switching the center/articles/membranes/membrane-processes/
sample collection. Next, when getting a reading on the [5] Experiment 22A Membrane Filtration| Lab22 | Virtual Edge | Molb
2021 | College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences. (n.d.).
weighing scale, be alert and focused because the sample is http://www.uwyo.edu/molb2021/virtual-edge/lab22/exp_22a_memfilter.
constantly flowing out and the weight will change over html
time. Other than that, please make sure the valve is open
or closed correctly according to the flow of the pipe to get
an accurate result for different membranes. Apart from
that, make sure the feed is enough to make sure that there
APPENDIX