Impact factors to regulate mass transfer characteristics of stable alginate membrane performed superior sensitivity on various organic chemicals

Calcium alginate membrane has great potential for membrane separation technology. The polymer frameworks of the membrane were successfully regulated by the mass fraction of homopolymeric blocks of -L-guluronic acid (FGG) in the entire molecular chain of alginate and the additive CaCl2 as a cross-linker. The mechanical strength can be controlled by regulated the FGG and CaCl2 concentration. Selected mass transfer of saccharides (Glucose,G, 180 Da; Maltose,M, 324 Da; Raffinose,R, 504 Da) was achieved. The mass transfer flux of saccharides was strongly changed and inversely proportional to the 4.4 power of molecular volume. The mass transfer flux of saccharides was inversely proportional to the 2 power of FGG at prepared 1 M CaCl2. The mass transfer flux of urea (60 Da) was clearly decreased with increasing CaCl2 concentration. Especially, in higher FGG range, effect of CaCl2 concentration remarkably appeared on its effective diffusion coefficient (Deff). The volumetric water fraction with calcium concentration was very slight, regardless of FGG. The tortuosity increased linearly with increasing additive CaCl2 concentration. In higher CaCl2 concentration, the effect of FGG on the tortuosity remarkably appeared. Obtained empirical equation was anticipated as a guideline to estimate the effective diffusion coefficient of the alginate membrane. High permeability was performed by low FGG (0.18) membrane performed high permeability than high FGG (0.56) membrane. The water permeation mechanism was obeyed by Hagen-Poiseuille flow regardless of FGG. © 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection under responsibility of the Congress Scientific Committee (Petr Kluson)