Development of alumina supported ternary mixed matrix membranes for separation of H2/light-alkane mixtures

• Published in: Journal of membrane science 2012-10, Vol.415-416, p.725-733
• Main Authors: Topuz, Berna, Yilmaz, Levent, Kalipcilar, Halil
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adsorption; aluminum oxide; artificial membranes; carbon dioxide; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Composite Membrane; evaporation; Exact sciences and technology; Gas Separation; gases; General and physical chemistry; hydrogen; Membranes; methane; Mixed Matrix Membrane; permeability; Polyethersulfone; Porous materials; SAPO-34; solvents; sorption isotherms; temperature
• ISSN: 0376-7388; 1873-3123
• DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2012.05.060

Ternary component mixed matrix membrane was prepared from PES, SAPO-34 and 2-hydroxy 5-methyl aniline on a macroporous alumina disk by the solvent evaporation method in order to investigate the effect of existence of an inorganic support. The membrane and its pure PES/Alumina counterpart were characterized by single gas permeability measurements of H2, CH4, C2H6 and C3H8. The corresponding H2/CH4 selectivities of membranes were 71.3 and 41. The membranes were also used to separate equimolar mixtures of H2 with CH4, C2H6 and C3H8 over a temperature range of 35–90°C. The separation selectivities of ternary component membrane were 73.4 for H2/CH4, 242.9 for H2/C2H6 and >1000 for H2/C3H8 at 35°C, which are comparable to the separation selectivities of pure PES on alumina. The permeances of all gases through PES/SAPO-34/HMA/Alumina membrane were, however, higher than those through PES/Alumina membrane at 90°C. Despite its very complex morphology, the PES/SAPO-34/HMA/Alumina membrane preserved its structure and quality during the separation of different gas mixtures over temperature cycles between 35 and 90°C. The CO2 and CH4 adsorption isotherms of PES-SAPO-34-HMA system were also obtained at 25°C. The adsorption capacity of ternary component system was 1.55mmol CO2/g and 0.45mmol CH4/g, which is appreciably higher than the adsorption capacity of pure PES. ► PES/SAPO-34/HMA mixed matrix membrane was prepared on alumina disks. ► The composite membrane successfully separated H2/CnH2n+2 mixtures. ► The composite membrane was stable despite its intricate morphology. ► CO2 and CH4 adsorption capacities of PES/SAPO-34 and PES/SAPO-34/HMA were measured.