THE ANALYSIS OF SORPTION DATA OF ORGANIC VAPORS IN POLYMERIC MEMBRANES THROUGH NOVEL THEORIES

Analysis of sorption data of hydrocarbon vapors in polyethylene and po lypropylene films using Flory-Huggins, UNIFAC, Michael-Hausslein and F lory-Rehner theories are presented. Basically two models are used, one deduced with UNIFAC and Michael-Hausslein (UNIFAC-M-H) approach and t he other with UNIFAC and Flory-Rehner (UNIFAC-F-R) theory. Prediction of penetrant activity values through these theories fit quite well the experimental results with errors ranging between 4.7 and 10.8%. The m ean arithmetic values of the fraction of elastically effective chain i n the amorphous region are f = 0.4915 and f = 0.3354 for polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE), respectively. The experimental results wi th polypropylene are correlated, establishing a unique expression to p redict solubility and solubility coefficient. The dependence of solubi lity in polypropylene over the whole range of temperature it is also p resented.