(646a) Mixed Matrix Membranes for H2/CO2 Separation | AIChE

(646a) Mixed Matrix Membranes for H2/CO2 Separation

Authors 

Sardano, A., Università di Bologna
Degli Esposti, M., University of Bologna
Pettinau, A., Sotacarbo SpA
Minelli, M., University of Bologna
Fabbri, P., University of Bologna
We verified the feasibility of mixed matrix membranes based on poly-2-6-dimethylpoly(phenylene oxide) (PPO) for H2/CO2 separation in the purification of syngas obtained from coal gasification process. PPO shows a very high permeability but a moderate selectivity for the H2/CO2 couple at room temperature. We tried to improve the H2-selective behavior by incorporating different types of fillers. The preparation protocol was optimized to allow the formation of stable, compact and mechanically robust films up to 50% in weight of filler, with a thickness of around 50 micrometers. It is shown that the evaporation rate is crucial to obtain good films. Pure and mixed matrix membranes were tested via DSC and SEM to verify the thermal behavior and morphology; fillers were analyzed to detect the particle size distribution. The gas transport behavior of the mixed matrix membranes with different filler loadings was tested with Helium, CO2, N2 and CH4 at different temperatures and correlated to the membrane structure and preparation protocol. The effect of membrane annealing on the membrane structure and gas transport was studied, indicating a strong effect of membrane history, especially in the case of hydrophilic fillers.