Application of poly(ether-block-amide) membranes to gasoline desulfurization by pervaporation

The aim of this research was to recognize the applicability of poly(ether-block-amide) membrane to gasoline desulfurization by means of vacuum pervaporation. PEBAX 2533 and PEBAX 2533/5533 homogenous membranes were prepared by solvent evaporation – phase inversion technique. The influence of process parameters such as feed temperature and feed concentration on thiophene removal from simulated n-octane/thiophene mixture was also examined. Total average flux for the simulated gasoline at 35°C and thiophene concentration of 0.07 wt. % was equal to 0.56 kg/m² h and it increased to 1.29 kg/m² h with temperature increase up to 50°C. The corresponding separation factor β values were equal to 7.06 and 5.99, respectively. The change of sulfur concentration in tested range of 0.05–0.13 wt. % had insignificant impact on the permeation flux. Furthermore, the separation factor was also not influenced by the variation of sulfur compound level in the feed. Considering components permeances and intrinsic membrane selectivity results, PEBA membranes were found to be thiophene selective (α_T/O > 1).