(330f) Mixed Matrix Membranes For Gas Separations | AIChE

(330f) Mixed Matrix Membranes For Gas Separations

Authors 

Singha-In, P. - Presenter, The Petroleum and Petrochemical College, Chulalongkorn University
Rirksomboon, T. - Presenter, The Petroleum and Petrochemical College, Chulalongkorn University


One of the most attractive technologies for gas separations is a membrane separation owing to its compact unit and low energy consumption compared to the current energy-intensive cryogenic distillation, absorption, or adsorption. However, membranes have also a drawback such as plasticization phenomenon. The plasticization in glassy polymer membranes can occur by hydrocarbons or CO2 acting as a plasticizer. Plasticization phenomenon in glassy polymer membranes results in increasing gas permeability which in turn results in reducing membrane selectivity. This is due to the segmental chain mobility enhancement and increase in free volume of the polymer matrices. Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) have been developed and evaluated for the effects of plasticization. In this study, MMMs were fabricated by incorporating zeolites such as NaX, NaY, and silicalite into Matrimid® polymers. The olefin/paraffin separation performance and plasticizing characteristics of the membranes were carried out using pure gas permeability measurements. Preliminary results are encouraging. Detailed information on membrane preparation, gas permeation and selectivity will be presented and discussed.