Facilitated transport of unsaturated hydrocarbons in perfluorosulfonic acid (Nafion) membranes

In this paper, results from our groups and from others relating to separations of unsaturated hydrocarbons using Ag+-exchanged membranes are briefly reviewed. Next, some useful and interesting properties of Ag+-Nafion are summarized and equations defining common transport performance parameters are presented. This is followed by a brief description of membrane/distillation column hybrid processes as a motivation for developing better membrane materials. Since stability is a critical issue for all membrane separations, experimental data regarding the stability of Ag+-Nafion for both perstraction and pervaporation processes are presented. Finally, previously unreported performance data for close boiling alkene/alkane (olefin/saturate) mixtures and a variety of separations involving arenes (aromatic compounds) are described.