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John L. Falconer
Modeling Membrane Transport

We have used mathematical modeling of Maxwell-Stefan diffusion through zeolite membranes to analyze our experimental measurements. These are used for steady state measurements to understand the effects of temperature, feed pressure, pressure drop, and the presence of more than one type of molecule. The steady state models have also been used to understand how membrane configuration affects permeation and selectivity, and how to utilize high selectivity membranes for separations at high pressures. We are also modeling the transient permeation of single components and mixtures.   These models, which have allowed us to obtain adsorption measurements from single gas permeation transients, are being extended to mixtures to allow analysis of the transient vapor and transient pervaporation measurement. These calculations are being done in collaboration with Dr. Tracy Q. Gardner, Department of Chemical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines. We have also carried out single gas and mixture permeance measurements for the atomistic simulations carried out by Professor David Sholl, Department of Chemical Engineering Carnegie Mellon University.

Sample Publications

J.G. Martinek, T.Q. Gardner, R.D. Noble, and J.L. Falconer. “Modeling Transient

      Permeation of Binary Mixtures through Zeolite Membranes”, Ind. Eng.

      Chem. Research 45, 6032-6043 (2006).

Sommer, S., T. Melin, J.L. Falconer, R.D. Noble, "Transport of C6 Isomers through ZSM-5 Zeolite Membranes" J. Membrane Science 224, 51-67 (2003).

Gardner, T. Q., J.L. Falconer, R.D. Noble, and M. Zieverink, "Analysis of Transient Permeation Fluxes into and out Membranes for Adsorption Measurements" Chem. Eng. Science 58, 2103-2112 (2003).

Skoulidas, A.I., T.C. Bowen, J.L. Falconer, R.D. Noble, and D.S. Sholl, "Comparing Atomistic Simulations and Experimental Measurements for CH4/CF4 Mixture Permeation through Silicalite Membranes", J. Membrane Science 227, 123-136 (2003)

T.C. Bowen, J.L. Falconer, R.D. Noble, A.I. Skoulidas, and D.S. Sholl, "A Comparison of Atomistic Simulations and Experimental Measurements of Light Gas Permeation Through Zeolite Membranes" Ind. Eng. Chem. Research 41, 1641-1650 (2002).