Modeling and multi-response optimization of pervaporation of organic aqueous solutions using desirability function approach

The factorial design of experiments and desirability function approach has been applied for multi-response optimization in pervaporation separation process. Two organic aqueous solutions were considered as model mixtures, water/acetonitrile and water/ethanol mixtures. Two responses have been employed in multi-response optimization of pervaporation, total permeate flux and organic selectivity. The effects of three experimental factors (feed temperature, initial concentration of organic compound in feed solution, and downstream pressure) on the pervaporation responses have been investigated. The experiments were performed according to a 23 full factorial experimental design. The factorial models have been obtained from experimental design and validated statistically by analysis of variance (ANOVA). The spatial representations of the response functions were drawn together with the corresponding contour line plots. Factorial models have been used to develop the overall desirability function. In addition, the overlap contour plots were presented to identify the desirability zone and to determine the optimum point. The optimal operating conditions were found to be, in the case of water/acetonitrile mixture, a feed temperature of 55 °C, an initial concentration of 6.58% and a downstream pressure of 13.99 kPa, while for water/ethanol mixture a feed temperature of 55 °C, an initial concentration of 4.53% and a downstream pressure of 9.57 kPa. Under such optimum conditions it was observed experimentally an improvement of both the total permeate flux and selectivity.