Carbon nanoporous membranes for gas separation

Purpose

This work aims to (1) manufacture nanoporous carbon membranes for the high temperature separation of binary gas mixtures and (2) evaluate the impact of gas impurities on the performance of these membranes.

Summary

Supported flat-sheet nanoporous carbon membranes are to be made from the pyrolysis of polyfurfuryl alcohol at varying manufacture temperatures with the intent of identifying the manufacture method that produces optimum membrane flux and separation. Mixed gas testing of the membranes at high temperatures will be carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of the these membranes for high temperature operation. Similarly, the impact of impurities in the feed gas stream on the membrane performance is to be determined. Finally, the experimental results will be compared with simulated results produced from a simulation model for the adsorption of gases onto nanoporous carbon.