SEPARATION OF METHANOL HYDROGEN MIXTURES USING INORGANIC MEMBRANES

In a previous paper, J. Membrane Sci., 60 (1991) 185-193, large separa tion factors (as high as 600) were reported for methanol/hydrogen mixt ures. These reported results are not accurate. Repetition of the exper iments gave separation factors between 1.5 and 4 depending on the tota l pressure at 473 K. The same experimental apparatus and alumina membr anes were used in this study. These results indicate that capillary co ndensation in the membrane pores is not the primary separation mechani sm as had been previously reported.