08-06-2013, 04:47 PM
Membranes for Biofuel Separation
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Abstract:
The growth of biofuel is not only dependent on the advances in genetic transformation of biomass into
biofuel, but also on the breakthroughs in purification and separation techniques. Among many potential techniques,
advances in membrane pervaporation-based hybrid technologies provide the most direct, effective and feasible
separation approach to replace conventional distillation techniques. This article introduces the basics of membrane
pervaporation, process design of pervaporation-distillation hybrid technologies, as well pervaporation membranes for
biofuel dehydration and recovery
Introduction
T he fluctuation and high price of
crude oil in recent years have raised
worldwide concerns of energy security.
Significant attention has been given to
explore biofuel as an alternative energy
source for its sustainability and lower
emission of greenhouse gases. Technological
breakthroughs have been made on both
food-based first generation and non-food
based second generation biofuels. To avoid
food shortage for humanity, the non-food
based biofuel research has received greater
society support where non-food crops and
agricultural residues (such as corn stover
and plant trimmings) are the feedstock for
the production of bioalcohol.
Conclusion and
Future Trends
It is well believed that the pervaporationbased
hybrid technologies possess many
benefits over conventional separation
techniques for biofuel purifications. The major
challenges against the industrialization of
membrane pervaporation are the membrane
reliability in harsh environments, the high
cost of membrane production and module
fabrication, as well as problems associated
with the complex process design.
In the industry, the pervaporationdistillation
hybrid process is the most
popular configuration for biofuel separation.
However, future works should focus on the
science and hybrid engineering so that one
can wisely select the best hybrid system
for specific fermentation types, production
scales, product purity requirements, and
available investment.
Ongoing works on the development and
exploration of pervaporation membranes
with better separation and physicochemical
properties for bioalcohol separation is
still of paramount importance. Polymeric
membranes with higher flux and separation
efficiency in harsh operating environments
are in demand. Inorganic membranes and
organic-inorganic hybrid membranes may
share the industrial market or take the
dominant position of polymeric membranes
gradually. Greater emphases should be
placed on hybrid membranes and hollow
fiber membranes with desirable membrane
morphology and separation performance.