Optimization of biofuel dehydration performance of PES/PEI/MXene membrane by response surface method

In this study, the dehydration of the ethanol/water mixture through pervaporation was assessed using a PES/PEI/MXene membrane. The structure of MAX and MXene nanoparticles was investigated by FTIR spectrum and FE-SEM analysis. The experimental design employed response surface methodology (RSM) with a central composite design (CCD) to specify optimal test situations. The obtained results suggested a quadratic model for permeate flux and selectivity, which shows the variance of R2 = 0.95 and 0.91, respectively. The models appeared a critical impact on three operational parameters on the selectivity and permeate flux with some significant interaction between these parameters. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) displayed a significant regression model. Statistical analysis revealed that the concentration and temperature of the feed had a statistically significant effect on the flux (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, a powerful interaction between temperature and concentration was watched for selectivity in the ethanol-water system. However, the interplay effect of flow rate with temperature or concentration was found to be less noteworthy. The results displayed that to obtain the most optimal permeate flux and selectivity, the temperature, flow rate, and feed concentration were 60 °C, 419 ml/min, and 90.5 wt%, respectively. In optimal conditions, the permeate flux and selectivity were 84.6 g/m2.h and 112.7, respectively.