Pervaporation Membrane Systems

Artisan Pervaporation Membrane Systems for Solvent Dehydration and Azeotrope Separation

Artisan supplies and services pervaporation systems in the United States featuring membranes by one of our partners. These systems are used to dehydrate solvents, break azeotropes in a single step, reduce water content to as low as 0.01%, and increase rates and yields in esterification and other water-limited reactions.

Hybrid silica membranes can withstand higher operating temperatures and pressures than many other membrane technologies, while offering broad material compatibility, including acids. By separating select components, typically water, through a membrane under vacuum, pervaporation offers an alternative to conventional distillation for applications where product quality, yield, thermal exposure, or azeotrope behavior are important process considerations.

Need to dehydrate solvents or break an azeotrope? Request a feasibility assessment.

Key Features

What Makes Artisan Pervaporation Membrane Systems Different

Single-Step Solvent Dehydration

Pervaporation can dehydrate solvents and break azeotropes in a single step, achieving water concentrations as low as 0.01% in appropriate applications.

Hybrid Silica Membrane Technology

Systems supplied by Artisan feature membranes capable of handling higher operating temperatures and pressures than many other membrane technologies.

Vacuum-Driven Permeation

Select components, typically water, permeate through the membrane, flash evaporate under vacuum, and exit the system as permeate vapor for collection.

Pilot-Tested Process Development

Artisan operates a comprehensive pilot test facility with pervaporation testing capabilities to help determine system sizing, staging, and process viability before full-scale implementation.

Technical Capabilities

Artisan Pervaporation Membrane Systems are used for separations where distillation may be limited by azeotrope formation, thermal sensitivity, product value, or reaction equilibrium. Systems can be arranged for batch or continuous operation, with single or multi-stage configurations developed around the specific feed composition, water concentration, flow requirements, temperature range, and separation target.

Dehydrates solvents and breaks azeotropes in a single step
Reduces water content to as low as 0.01% in appropriate applications
Can increase rates and yields in esterification and water-limited reactions
Uses hybrid silica membrane technology
Handles select component permeation, typically water
Permeate flash evaporates as it transfers through the membrane under vacuum
Permeate vapor exits the unit and is collected
Retentate circulates back to the feed tank before purge from the system
Available for batch or continuous operation
Custom single or multi-stage systems available for specific processes
Can improve product quality compared with conventional distillation
Can increase yield of valuable material
Can reduce thermal degradation of heat-sensitive materials
Applicable to azeotrope-forming materials

Where Pervaporation Membrane Systems Are Applied

Industries Served

Artisan Pervaporation Technology. Your Membrane Separation Application.

Pervaporation applications depend on water concentration, solvent chemistry, membrane compatibility, operating temperature, vacuum level, batch size, flow rate, and desired final purity. Artisan can combine pilot testing data with process experience to determine whether membrane-based dehydration or azeotrope separation is the right technical path for your material.

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Technical Specifications

Membrane Processing & Operating Parameters

Initial Water Concentration

Pervaporation systems can process feed streams with initial water concentrations ranging from 0.5% to 40% by weight, subject to solvent chemistry and membrane compatibility.

Vacuum Requirement

Operation at vacuum levels below 10 mbar promotes permeation and flash evaporation of the separated component as it passes through the membrane.

Operating Temperature

Systems accommodate operating temperatures from 40°F to 400°F, allowing the process to be matched to feed characteristics, separation objectives, and membrane requirements.

Membrane Area

Membrane module area can range from 0.01 to 100 square meters, allowing the system to be scaled around throughput, feed conditions, and required separation performance.

Batch Capacity

Batch systems can be developed for volumes ranging from 1 to 30,000 gallons, supporting laboratory evaluation through commercial-scale processing.

Operating Sequence

Feed circulates through the membrane system in batch or continuous operation. Selected components, typically water, pass through the membrane and evaporate under vacuum, while the retained stream returns to the feed tank or proceeds to the next process stage.

Continuous Flow Range

Continuous systems can accommodate flow rates from approximately 5 to 5,000 gallons per day, depending on feed composition, membrane area, and target water concentration.

Pilot Evaluation

Artisan’s pilot testing capabilities help establish membrane suitability, required surface area, staging strategy, operating conditions, and expected final water concentration before commercial implementation.

pH Range

The membrane system operates within a pH range of 4 to 10, with final material compatibility evaluated for the specific process stream.

Request a Quote for Pervaporation Membrane Systems

Pervaporation viability is shaped by feed composition, water concentration, operating conditions, and separation targets. Artisan’s engineering team can assess those variables to determine whether a membrane-based separation path is appropriate for your process. We respond within one business day.