Introduction
Membranes and filters are essential in all areas of manufacturing to assure
purity and consistency of process. The Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) offers
a method for directly observing the three dimensional structure of membranes.
AFM studies can be used for membrane development as well as monitoring
membrane wear associated with use.
The purpose of this study is to simulate compressor contamination
in industrial applications and to ascertain the behavioral changes in
membranes over time with varying pollutant levels. Pereira and Admassu
found that permeability was reduced in polymeric membranes-including poly
(carbonate)-with an increase in oil contamination. Moreover, the selectivities
of oxygen-nitrogen and methane-carbon dioxide mixes were improved. Several
theories were proposed to account for the observed phenomena, and the recent
AFM work provides topographical evidence for the manner in which the presence
of oil altered the membrane surface structure.
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