Surface Modified Hollow Polyester/Polyvinylpyrrolidone Composite for O₂ Enriched Air Separation

Oxy-rich air is required for many industries for various processes. Mixture of pure oxygen with air is a costly process where oxy-rich air is required. In this research an attempt has been made by a novel technique such as preparation of activated carbon/PVP blended polymer loaded, surface modified hollow polyester fibre composite for the production of oxy-rich air. The PVP and activated carbon has an advantage of higher O₂ permeability and O₂/N₂ selectivity. Surface modified hollow fibre is used to enhance the air separation rate. An experimental plan has been developed for the construction of composite with NaOH treatment time, concentration of PVP and concentration of activated carbon as independent variables. Fifteen set of experiments have been derived with independent variables and composites were prepared as the plan. The effect of independent variables on oxygen enrichment and air separation rate is analysed in detail. Highest oxygen enrichment percentage as 38.62 was achieved by 3 h NaOH treated, 15% PVP and 4% activated carbon loaded composite. The highest rate of air separation was given by 3 h NaOH treated, 10% PVP and 4% activated carbon loaded composite.