Reverse osmotic concentration of aqueous 2-butanone (methyl ethyl ketone), tetrahydrofuran and ethyl acetate solutions

Abstract

Reverse osmotic concentration of aqueous MEK, THF and EAc solutions was carried out using five composite membranes (PEC-1000, FT-30 BW, FT-30 SW, NS-100 P1700, NS-100 P3500) and cellulose acetate membrane. Separation of solute and permeation through the membranes were measured under the following conditions: concentration of MEK, 1-8.2 wt%; concentration of THF, 0.7-6.3wt%; concentration of EAc, 0.8-3.9wt%; operating pressure, 4–6 MPa. PEC-1000 gave the best solute separation for each system. Its separation was above 97.5 % for MEK system, above 99 % for THF system and above 97 % for EAc system. Membrane constants were calculated by the Spiegler-Kedem membrane transport model. The deviation from their model was corrected by compaction coefficients. Energy and membrane area required to concentrate aqueous MEK, THF and EAc solutions using PEC-1000 were calculated. © 1988, The Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan. All rights reserved.