Permeation characteristics of a T-type zeolite membrane for bio-oil pervaporation dehydration

The dehydration of bio-oil is of great importance for improving its heating value for application as a renewable transportation fuel, and a T-type zeolite membrane was proposed for bio-oil dehydration via pervaporation in the present study. The permeation results show that water could be highly selectively removed via pervaporation from bio-oil, but the membrane was easily fouled in bio-oil due to a complex composition, which led to a rapid decrease in the permeation flux. The flux of the fouled T-type zeolite membrane in bio-oil was effectively regenerated after calcination at 220 °C, and the T-type zeolite membrane showed excellent reusability and chemical stability in the bio-oil system. Insights into the transport behaviors demonstrate that water permeated through the membrane mainly via intercrystalline pores, while most intracrystalline pores were blocked during pervaporation due to the strong adsorption of organic components in the pores, which suggests that tailoring both the amount and size of intercrystalline pores in the membrane is of great significance to effectively enhance the bio-oil dehydration performance. [Display omitted] •A T-type zeolite membrane is applied to bio-oil dehydration.•The membrane shows excellent chemical stability and selectivity in bio-oil.•Water permeates through the membrane mainly via the intercrystalline pores.