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In recent years, integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) technology has gained significant attention for large-scale power generation with carbon capture. In an IGCC power plant, the syngas is typically directed to the gas turbine (for power generation) after CO 2 and H 2 S removal. This work describes the transport properties of the CO 2-selective polymeric facilitated transport membranes for syngas purification at different pressures (2-15 bar) and 107 o C. These membranes contain amines as CO 2-carriers that are dispersed in a crosslinked polyvinylalcohol (PVA) matrix. Furthermore, a two-stage membrane process is proposed for CO 2 removal from syngas in an IGCC plant. A process modeling and cost-sensitivity analysis of the proposed twostage membrane process was performed. The effects of feed pressure, temperature, membrane permeance, and selectivity on the overall increase in the cost of electricity (COE) were analyzed. An increase in the COE of 14-18% was estimated for 90% CO 2 removal and > 99% H 2 recovery using the two-stage membrane process in an IGCC power plant.

Nanoporous polyethersulfone (PES) membranes were prepared from PES/N-methyl-2pyrrolidone (NMP)/2-methoxyethanol (2-ME) casting solutions with water as coagulant by both vapor-and non-solvent-induced phase inversion steps successively under various preparation parameters. 2-ME was incorporated into the casting solution as a pore-forming additive because of its high affinity with water, leading to more open membrane morphology. A detailed study of the effects of different parameters, including polymer concentration, 2-ME/NMP ratio, relative humidity, water vapor exposure time, and water coagulation bath temperature, was conducted in lab-scale experiments to determine the operation guidelines for pilot-scale fabrication. 14-inch wide PES membranes were fabricated successfully by using a continuous casting machine. Parametric studies in pilot-scale fabrication were also carried out. Surface morphologies of PES membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The morphological differences between both scales by the same preparation conditions were compared. Based on the guidelines established from lab-scale experiments, the casting solution composition and coagulation bath temperature were optimized in a pilot-scale continuous casting machine to fabricate the 14-inch wide PES membrane with a desired morphology suitable for use as the substrate of composite membranes in CO 2 separation. The studied fabrication process also showed the potential for the commercial production of the PES membrane in a larger scale by the vapor-and non-solvent-induced phase inversion technique.

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