Abstract

This paper reports the preparation and characterization of gas transport using tubular alumina support and silica membrane for propylene (C₃H₆) and nitrogen (N₂) separation. Dip-coating technique was employed to deposit silica on the support after which the membrane was heat treated at 65 ⁰C. Nitrogen adsorption measurements reveal that this membrane possesses mesostructure with pore diameter of 3.940 nm and BET surface of 0.484 m²/g.  Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies show that the layers are defect free and energy diffraction x-ray analysis (EDXA) confirms the compositional element of silica. Propylene and nitrogen permeation tests also confirm that the membrane is defect free with C₃H₆/N₂ selectivity of 1.79 higher than ideal Knudsen selectivity.

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