Effect of water on the facilitated transport of olefins through solid polymer electrolyte membranes

Polymer electrolyte membranes composed of poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (POZ) a nd AgBF4 are prepared for olefin/paraffin separations. The stability and ef fect of relative humidity on permeance and selectivity are investigated usi ng propylene/propane mixed gases. The selectivity of propylene over propane remains high on the long time operation with a dry feed gas, indicating th at membranes are effective For propylene/propane separation in the absence of water. As humidity of the feed gas increases, both propylene and propane permeances increase, which resulting in the slight decrease of selectivity . (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.