Model-based design of a microfluidic pervaporation device for intensified VOC separation

Potočnik, Helena (author), Šmigoc, Yannick (author), Plazl, Igor (author), Žnidaršič Plazl, Polona (author), Ambrožič, Rok (author)

Downstream separation remains a major bottleneck in the development of continuous bioprocesses, particularly in the removal of volatile organic by-products such as acetone and acetophenone. Here we present a novel microfluidic pervaporation device developed for efficient VOC extraction from aqueous media under steady-state conditions. The system integrates a 3D-printed channel architecture with a PDMS membrane and leverages a first-principles mathematical model that does not require customised parameters. Experimental validation with acetone–water and acetophenone-buffer mixtures demonstrated excellent separation performance with a separation efficiency of over 97 %. A detailed time scale analysis confirmed that membrane diffusion is the dominant transport resistance, guiding optimization strategies toward geometric design and membrane material selection. The predictive power of the developed mathematical model enabled a rational tuning of geometry and flow conditions, while the modular fabrication approach ensures adaptability and scalability. This work highlights the potential of combining microfluidics, modeling and additive manufacturing to intensify separations and enable seamless integration into upstream biocatalytic or pharmaceutical production systems.

• Language: English
• Keywords: microfluidic pervaporation, volatile organic compounds, process intensification, mathematical modeling, continuous separation
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FKKT - Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Publication date: 22.12.2025
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: 13 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 378, pt. 3, art. 134795
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-171402
• UDC: 66.023.23
• ISSN on article: 1383-5866
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2025.134795
• COBISS.SI-ID: 246512131
• Publication date in RUL: 25.08.2025

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Separation and purification technology
• Shortened title: Sep. purif. technol.
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 1383-5866
• COBISS.SI-ID: 1247765

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: mikrofluidna pervaporacija, hlapne organske spojine, intenzifikacija procesov, matematično modeliranje, kontinuirno ločevanje