Membranes for Recovery of Volatile Organic Compounds

Abstract

This chapter deals with application of membrane process for the recovery of volatile organic compounds from permanent gas streams. Following a brief historical outline, the fundamental properties of membranes suited for the application are discussed, that is, the specifics of the solution–diffusion transport mechanism in rubbery polymers. Subsequent to applicable transport models for the permeation, additional transport phenomena important in the considered process are introduced. The membrane modules as well as numerical models describing their operating behavior are described. In the latter part of the chapter, different applications realized in industry are discussed. They include the recovery of gasoline vapors and the separation of monomers from purge gas streams in polymer production.