A Review of Membrane Materials for Ethanol Recovery by Pervaporation

作者:Peng Ping; Shi Baoli*; Lan Yongqiang
来源:Separation Science and Technology (Philadelphia), 2011, 46(2): 234-246.
DOI:10.1080/01496395.2010.504681

摘要

Due to an emerging scarcity of oil resources and an associated increase of oil prices, biofuels (e.g., ethanol) play an important role in the energy crisis. Fermentation is a common process for producing ethanol from renewable biomass. Pervaporation is an attractive technique for the recovery of ethanol from the fermentation systems. Separation membrane is the key element in the pervaporation separation equipments. In this article, the pervaporation performances of ethanol-permselective membranes presented in the recovery of ethanol from dilute ethanol aqueous solution are reviewed. An analytical overview on the challenges and opportunities, and the prospect of ethanol-permselective membranes by pervaporation is also discussed.