Performance comparison of polymeric and ceramic membranes for pervaporation with esterification

Dewatering efficiency of the mixture of esterification reaction (phthalic diester) coupled with pervaporation is studied experimentally. The mathematical models of pervaporation process and the kinetic of reaction were formulated and used to simulate the integrated pervaporation-esterification process. The results of calculations make it possible to compare the integrated process performed on polymeric and ceramic membranes. The following parameters were taken into account in the comparison : ratio of the membrane area to the volume of the reaction mixture, temperature of the process, catalyst concentration, initial substrates' concentration. The fluxes and selectivities as well as the conversions' times are presented for both membrane types. The selectivities for both membranes are almost the same but water fluxes for ceramic membrane are up to 8 times higher at 70°C than for the polymeric ones. In contrast to the polymeric membranes the ceramic membranes can be used for higher temperatures (even up to 250°C) with increasing water fluxes. Furthermore the acid stability of ceramic membranes is of major importance in applying them to esterification reaction.