Application of Stefan-Maxwell approach to azeotropic separation by membrane distillation

A multicomponent mass transfer model based on the Stefan-Maxwell formalism is developed to predict membrane distillation performance in separating aze otropic mixtures. The developed model accounts for all coupling interaction s between the diffusing species as well as for temperature and concentratio n polarization effects. The model is validated with previously published ex perimental data of propionic acid/water azeotropic mixture. The model predi cts the effect of the process relevant parameters very well. (C) 1999 Publi shed by Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.