Tubular CHA membranes for CO2/CH4 separation under industrially relevant
conditions
Abstract
An ultrathin (< 450 nm) tubular chabazite (CHA) zeolite
membrane (100 cm2 membrane area) was experimentally evaluated for
CO2/CH4 separation under industrially relevant conditions. For a 50:50
CO2/CH4 mixture at 292 K and a feed pressure of 5 bar, the observed
CO2/CH4 selectivity was as high as 201, and the CO2 permeance was 52 ×
10-7 mol/(m2⋅s⋅Pa). The membrane was also highly selective for CO2 in a
20:80 CO2/CH4 mixture. Mathematical modelling showed that concentration
polarization still limited the membrane’s performance, especially at
high feed pressures. The theoretical CO2/CH4 selectivity without
concentration polarization derived from the model was 77% higher than
the experimentally observed selectivity at 18 bar and 292 K. These
results suggest that the tubular CHA membrane is a promising candidate
for the removal of CO2 from biogas and natural gas, and that measures
should be taken to minimize concentration polarization in industrial
processes.