Two-Stage Membrane System for Post-combustion CO sub(2) Capture Application

• Published in: Energy & fuels 2015-10, Vol.29 (10), p.6664-6669
• Main Authors: Hussain, Arshad, Farrukh, Sarah, Minhas, Fozia T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon capture and storage; Carbon dioxide; Cellulose acetate; Cost analysis; Feasibility analysis; Membranes; Penetration; Simulation
• ISSN: 0887-0624; 1520-5029
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.5b01464

This work evaluates the viability of a two-stage process using combined nitrogen (N sub(2))-selective and carbon dioxide (CO sub(2))-selective membranes for post-combustion CO sub(2) capture. A novel type of cellulose acetate (CA) hybrid membrane is used here as a N sub(2)-selective membrane. The silica functionalized with p-tetranitrocalix[4]arene (Si-CL) was incorporated into the CA matrix, thereby resulting in a CA/Si-CL hybrid membrane. Moreover, the published permeation data of a CO sub(2)-selective fixed-site-carrier (FSC) membrane, i.e., polyvinylamine (PVAm) casted on porous polysulfone (PSf), is used here in a simulation study to serve as a second stage membrane. Although experimental work on the CA/Si-CL hybrid membrane is in progress based on the assumptions of initial appreciable results, a two-stage membrane process is proposed in which a N sub(2)-selective membrane is placed in the first stage, while a CO sub(2)-selective membrane is placed in the second stage. Subsequently, the techno-economic analysis of a two-stage membrane process has been carried out to evaluate the energy demand and CO sub(2) capture cost for post-combustion CO sub(2) capture application. The feasibility analysis shows a slower value of energy consumption (1.0 MJ/kg of CO sub(2)) and CO sub(2) capture cost ($20.5/ton of CO sub(2)) by employing N sub(2)-selective and CO sub(2)-selective membranes.