Membrane Basics

[Click Here to download our whitepaper "Using Membranes for Gas Exchange." (PDF)]

Silicone, also known as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), is among the most gas permeable dense
polymeric membrane materials available. Gases permeate silicone by a solution / diffusion
mechanism, whereby the rate of gas permeation is directly proportional to the product of solubility of
the gas, and the rate of diffusion of the dissolved gas in silicone. The permeability coefficient is a
parameter defined as the transport flux of a gas (rate of gas permeation per unit area), per unit
transmembrane driving force, per unit membrane thickness. The permeability coefficient for various
gases and vapors in silicone is presented in the table below.

NOTE: A permeability coefficient listing for a specific gas is not an indication that the membrane is
compatible with that gas. Membrane degradation and failure may occur with some gases and liquids.
It is the responsibility of the user to determine the suitability of PermSelect® membrane modules in
its specific application. Please view the silicone chemical compatibility chart as an initial
substance compatibility guide.

GAS NAME FORMULA SILICONE PERMEABILITY COEFFICIENT

(Barrer)*
Nitrogen N2 280

Carbon monoxide CO 340

Oxygen O2 600

Nitric oxide NO 600

Argon Ar 600

Hydrogen H2 650

Helium He 350

Methane CH4 950

Ethylene C2 H 4 1350

Ethane C2 H 6 2500

Carbon dioxide CO2 3250

Propane C3 H 8 4100
Nitrous oxide N2O 4350

Acetone C3 H 6 O 5860
Ammonia NH3 5900
Nitrogen dioxide NO2 7500

Octane n-C8H18 8600

Butane n-C4H10 9000
Toluene C7 H 8 9130

Hexane n-C6H14 9400

Hydrogen sulfide H2S 10000

Benzene C6 H 6 10800
Methanol CH3OH 13900

Sulfur dioxide SO2 15000

Pentane n-C5H12 20000

Water H2O 36000

Carbon disulfide CS2 90000

-10 3 2
*1 Barrer = 10 cm (STP)· cm /cm · s · cm-Hg
Unless otherwise noted, permeabilities are measured and reported at 25C (RTP) and not
(STP)
From: THIN SILICONE MEMBRANES-THEIR PERMEATION PROPERTIES AND SOME
APPLICATIONS
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, vol. 146, issue 1 Materials in , pp. 119-137
W. L. Robb

Therefore the rate of gas transfer across the membrane is proportional to the gas permeability
coefficient, the membrane surface area, the trans-membrane gas partial pressure difference, and
inversely proportional to the membrane thickness. Thus gas transfer across a membrane increases
with increased gas permeability coefficient, increased surface area, increased transmembrane gas
partial pressure and decreased membrane thickness.

PermSelect ® silicone membranes are configured into hollow fibers which are small silicone micro-
tubes with very thin walls which act as membranes. If there is a gas specie partial pressure
difference between the inside and the outside of the hollow fiber membrane, that gas specie can
permeate across the thin silicone walls in the direction from high to low gas partial pressure. Thus
configuring membranes into hollow fibers enables the packaging large amounts of membrane surface
area in very compact volumes. Moreover, hollow fibers constitute a self supported, inherently stable
membrane structure that can tolerate high pressure differences between the inside and outside of the
hollow fiber membrane.

Hollow fiber membranes are typically packaged in membrane modules in which thousands of hollow
fibers are bundled in a very compact volume and sealed or potted within a housing as shown in the
figure below. Consequently, the sum of the surface area of each individual hollow fiber membrane
constitutes the total membrane area for the module, and it becomes apparent how it is possible to
achieve high membrane surface densities with hollow fiber membranes.

Membrane modules will typically have an inlet and an outlet port in fluid communication with the
inside of all the hollow fibers (also known as tube side) which are manifolded at both ends of the fiber
bundle. Similarly the membrane modules will have one or more ports in fluid communication to the
outside of the hollow fibers or the shell side.

PermSelect® silicone membrane modules can be used for liquid contacting and gas separation
applications. The side of the hollow fiber membranes (shell or tube) in which a gas or liquid should
flow will depend on the specific application for the membrane module, and is selected to maximize
membrane module performance. For example, as shown in the figure below, in membrane gas
separation a feed mixture of gases enters the membrane module through the inlet port to the tube
side and flows through the inside of the hollow fiber membranes. The gas species in the mixture with
higher permeability will transfer at a greater rate across the walls of hollow fiber membranes leaving
behind the less permeable species. The transferred gas is referred to as the permeate. In the shell
side, a vacuum can be applied or a sweep gas (or liquid) can flow therein to carry away the
permeate. Exiting the outlet of the tube side is the retentate which constitutes a gas mixture with a
higher concentration of the less permeable gas species

Membrane Gas Separation. Although the permeability ratio for two gases in a binary gas mixture
provides a gross estimate for the ratio of permeate flow for the two gases, actual measurements
show that the interaction of a gas mixture on the membrane can affect permeation rates. Moreover
feed and permeate pressures can also affect permeation rates as the membrane structure can
change under pressure. The membrane gas separation factor is a membrane property that is useful
in determining permeation rates for mixtures of gases under certain operating conditions. We have
measured the membrane gas separation factors for a series of feed gas mixtures using PermSelect®
silicone membranes. Click here to see a table of separation factors.

Liquid Contacting. Adding and removing dissolved gases from liquids can be easily accomplished
using PermSelect® silicone membranes modules. A liquid stream flows on one side of the membrane
and a mixture of gases flows on (or vacuum is applied to) the other side of the membrane. Each gas
specie flows from the side of the membrane with higher partial pressure to the side with lower partial
pressure, thereby tending to equilibrate both sides. Thus it is possible to control the dissolved gases
in a liquid stream flowing through the module by controlling the gas mixture (or vacuum) applied.

PermSelect® silicone membranes modules can handle high temperatures, UV, and oxidizing
environments. Also, because the membrane is dense, there are no pores that can foul or wet-out,
enabling use of the modules with low surface tension liquids. Our membrane modules provide a
highly efficient radial flow design through a densely packed bundle of uniformly spaced apart hollow
fibers. Our membrane modules are available commercially with membrane surface areas of ten
centimeters square, 2,500 centimeters square, 7,500 centimeters square, 1.0 and 2.1 meters square.
contact us to discuss your specific requirements.

Below are series of short videos demonstrating how simple it is to use PermSelect® silicone
membrane modules for your gas exchange needs.

Liquid Degassing
Silicone membrane contactors and degassers can …
be used effectively for continuously degassing
liquids, including low surface tension liquids and
many compatible solvents. Since the membrane is
dense, there are no pores to wet-out and foul.

View a video demonstrating how to use a

PermSelect® membrane module to degas a liquid
stream.

Gas Dehumidification
Gas stream dehumidification using PermSelect® ...
membrane modules can be accomplished very
quickly and easily. Because silicone membranes are
highly permeable to water vapor they are very
efficient in transferring moisture out of gas streams
while preserving other gases substantially intact.
View a short video demonstrating how to use a
PermSelect® membrane module to dehumidify
your gas stream.

Liquid Gas Control (Gassing)

Liquid gas control can be effectively accomplished
using PermSelect® membrane modules and
contactors. Dissolved gases in liquids can be easily
equilibrated with target gas mixtures simply by
flowing the liquid and gas on opposite sides of the ...
silicone membrane.
View a short video demonstrating how to use a
PermSelect® membrane module to add gases to
your liquid stream.

Gas Humidification
Gas humidification can be effectively accomplished ...
using PermSelect® membrane modules. Due to the
high permeability of water vapor in silicone,
substantial amounts of water vapor can be
passively added to your gas stream without need
for boiling water or bubbling your gas through
water.
View a short video demonstrating how to use a
PermSelect® membrane module to humidify your
gas stream.

Warning It is the responsibility of the user to determine the suitability of membrane modules in its specific
application. Membrane modules can fail, permitting fluid discharge into the environment and mixing of shell
and tube side fluids. Users must take all precautions to ensure safety to people and property in case of module
failure. Purchaser assumes all responsibility for the suitability and fitness for use as well as for the protection
of the environment and for the health and safety involving this product.

© PermSelect 2016 - Silicone Gas Exchange Membranes

3915 Research Park Drive, Suite A-4 | Ann Arbor, MI 48108 | +1 (734) 769-1066
Website User Terms and Conditions / Terms of Sale