Membrane separation of multicomponent mixture of alkanes C1-C4

The membrane separation of the four-component mixture of gaseous alkanes C-1-C-4 is studied. Homogeneous films based on two high-permeable polymers, namely, addition-type poly[3-(trimethylsilyl)tricyclononene-7] and poly[3,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)tricyclononene-7], are used as membranes. Separation of the multicomponent mixture of hydrocarbons on these polymers follows the same trends as separation of binary mixtures CH4-C4H10 on polyacetylenes. In the presence of higher hydrocarbons, the permeability coefficients of methane decrease and the permeates become enriched with higher hydrocarbons. During separation of the multicomponent mixture, permeability coefficients P(C4H10) attain high values (up to 12000 Barrers).