Journal of Membrane Science, Vol.91, No.3, 249-258, 1994
Pervaporation Induced by Electric-Current
A new class of membrane processes with active, energy depending separation of neutral vapor and gaseous components through ion-exchange membranes and extraction into the vapor-gas medium are discussed. For realization of these processes the electric potential gradient in the membrane is maintained and controlled externally by electric current techniques. Model equations for the removing component flux for this case are obtained. The process is realized for ammonium sulphate decomposition with removing ammonia to the vapor phase through perfluorinated cation exchange membrane. The condition for such an active transport is that a target neutral component (ammonia) is capable of entering into the composition of the counterion solvate shell to execute an efficient transfer via the mutual exchange of the counterions located near the adjacent ion-exchange groups.