Transient permeation of organic vapors through elastomeric membranes

The permeation of benzene and acetone vapors through sulfur-cured natural rubber was studied by the time-lag method. The experimental results were analyzed by a method suggested by Meares. The zero concentration diffusion coefficient D₀ was obtained by the early-time method. The Frisch time-lag equation was utilized to estimate both the solubility coefficient s and the additional parameter b required to define the concentration dependence of the diffusion coefficient: D(c) = D₀ exp {bc}. This form of concentration dependence was manifested by the corresponding permeability coefficient values. At low entering penetrant pressure, where the transport coefficients are constant, indirect evidence was obtained that D₀ is the mechanistically correct diffusion coefficient. The solubility coefficient values calculated for benzene vapor in natural rubber are in reasonable agreement with published equilibrium sorption data for a similar rubber compound. At higher entering penetrant pressures, average diffusion coefficients obtained at steady state tended to be larger than the corresponding average diffusion coefficients derived from the time lags. This same effect has been detected by other experimental approaches. Permeation experiments designed for this rapid method of analysis appear capable of yielding information consistent with that obtained by more time-consuming traditional methods.