ASPECTS OF MODELING, DESIGN AND OPERATION OF MEMBRANE-BASED SEPARATION PROCESSES FOR GASEOUS-MIXTURES

This paper presents a computer aided system, which can be used for sim ulation, design and operation of membrane-based gas separation process es. The computer aided system consists of a general model for the memb rane-based gas separation process and a robust, reliable and flexible method of solution. The mathematical model consists of equations for t he conservation of mass and momentum, which allows the consideration o f effects such as pressure drops and various flow patterns within the permeator. The method of solution for the set of differential equation s employs orthogonal collocation and decouples the set of equations by linearization in order to facilitate the calculation of sensitivities . In the current implementation, membrane modules with cocurrent or co untercurrent flows and permeate pressure drops can be handled. Numeric al results covering examples of simulation of gas separation units and effects of different variables on the design and operation of these p rocesses are presented.