Vipasha Soni

A general model for membrane-based separation processes

A separation process could be defined as a process that transforms a given mixture of chemicals into two or more compositionally distinct end-use products. One way to design these separation processes is to employ a model-based approach, where mathematical models that reliably predict the process behaviour will play an important role. In this paper, modelling of membrane-based processes for separation of gas and liquid mixtures are considered. Two general models, one for membrane-based liquid separation processes (with phase change) and another for membrane-based gas separation are presented. The separation processes covered are: membrane-based gas separation processes, pervaporation and various types of membrane distillation processes. The specific model for each type of membrane-based process is generated from the two general models by applying the specific system descriptions and the corresponding modelling assumptions. Analyses of the generated models, together with their validation and application in process design/analysis are highlighted through several case studies.

Structural design of polymers for membrane based separation processes using reverse simulation approach

Abstract In separation processes involving polymeric membranes one is interested in the design of new structured polymers that can match the desired degree of separation for the specified separation task. A reverse approach where the optimal polymeric membrane together with a list of candidate polymers all of which satisfy defined design (permeability) targets, is presented. The polymers are represented by their repeat units as well as their microscopic structure. The new methodemploys the permeability properties of a polymeric system, its relation to microscopic and/or chain conformation, as well as the separation task, to design the membrane based separation process as well as the polymeric membrane.

A hierarchal approach based on reverse design algorithm for simultaneous design and analysis of product and processes

Abstract In order to meet the demands of specifically architectured fine chemicals it is advantageous to design the process and product simultaneously. A systematic model based approach, which consists of a framework for multilevel process and product models has been developed. The objective is to design simultaneously process and product, and, to generate design alternatives to match a desired set of performance. A design algorithm which is based on the reverse design approach will be presented together with a generic model that is able to handle a wide variety of products and processes.