Optimisation of membrane module design

Purpose

To develop a hollow fibre gas separation membrane with enhanced properties for CO2 separation.

Summary

Hollow fibre (HF) membranes for gas separation have great advantages over the other membrane configurations (flat-sheet and spiral wound) since the HF membranes provide high active surface area to volume ratio, the ability to support high transmembrane pressure drops and low resistance to gas flow. Each of these factors contributes to high productivity.

However, up to date, the plasticization phenomenon through the membrane, which is a great challenge for polymeric membranes, is not fully understood.

The lack of membrane material with outstanding performance for long-term gas stream exposure under elevated temperature and outstanding resistance to condensable components together with uncertain economics are barriers to the commercialisation of HF gas separation membranes. Further, literature focussing on the combined effects of contamination and ageing is limited.