EFFECT OF PRESSURE ON PERMEATION OF GASES AND VAPORS THROUGH POLYETHYLENE . USEFULNESS OF CORRESPONDING STATES PRINCIPLE

The permeation of carbon dioxide through polyethylene membranes has been studied at pressures up to 54.4 atm. and at temperatures above and below the critical temperature of the gas (31.0°C.). The permeability coefficient is independent of pressure at the highest experimental temperature (61.0°C.), but becomes increasingly pressure‐dependent as the temperature is lowered. The principle of corresponding states can be used to correlate the solubility of both gases and vapors in polyethylene over a wide range of temperatures. This principle can also be invoked to obtain an upper limit for the penetrant pressure above which the permeability coefficient becomes pressure‐dependent. The effect of pressure on the permeability, solubility, and diffusivity of gases and vapors in polyethylene is discussed in some detail. Copyright © 1969 American Institute of Chemical Engineers