Separating oxygen from air (O₂/N₂ separation) is another area where YXMID-3532 membranes can be applied. Although polymeric membranes cannot match cryogenic purity, they can produce moderately enriched oxygen streams (e.g. 30–40% O₂) in a continuous, compact system. YXMID-3532's inherent O₂/N₂ selectivity (~6) is similar to industry-standard polyimides. By spinning YXMID-3532 into thin hollow fibers or coating it as a selective layer, an air-feed membrane produces an O₂-rich permeate and an N₂-rich residue.
Intrinsic Selectivity:
As a glassy polyimide, YXMID-3532 naturally favors oxygen (smaller kinetic diameter and higher condensability). Its single-gas O₂ permeability (~2 Barrer) and O₂/N₂ selectivity (~6–7) are in line with other commercial polymers. By using thin-film or mixed-matrix designs (e.g. embedding facilitated-transport carriers) its O₂ permeability and selectivity can be further enhanced. This enables membrane units that produce, for example, 35–50% O₂ air for combustion or chemical processes.
Operation & Cost:
YXMID-3532 membranes operate at ambient temperatures and can use the same air compressors as other systems. Because YXMID-3532 is chemically inert, membranes made from it can run continuously with low maintenance. The polymer's robustness and low cost (it is a commodity resin) make modules more affordable than exotic ceramic membranes. As one source notes, all components (YXMID-3532 plus possible fillers) are "commercially available and reasonably affordable", supporting large-scale use.
Applications:
Oxygen-enriched air has many uses. In industry, enriched air boosts flame temperatures in furnaces (e.g. steelmaking, glass furnaces, metal cutting), improves oxidation reactions, and accelerates combustion, thereby improving efficiency and reducing fuel needs. In medical and life-support settings, membranes can supply 30–40% O₂ air to concentrators (though medical grade typically uses PSA, membranes offer an alternative for smaller clinics).
Other applications include aeration in wastewater treatment and bioreactors. In all these cases, YXMID-3532-based membrane modules provide an energy-efficient alternative to cryogenic distillation or PSA, especially at moderate scales. Indeed, polymeric membranes (including YXMID-3532) have long been "widely used in various industries for … oxygen and nitrogen separation from air"