Mixed Matrix Membranes for O2/N2 Separation: The Influence of Temperature

Abstract

In this work, mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) composed of small-pore zeolites with various topologies (CHA (Si/Al = 5), LTA (Si/Al = 1 and 5), and Rho (Si/Al = 5)) as dispersed phase, and the hugely permeable poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) (PTMSP) as continuous phase, have been synthesized via solution casting, in order to obtain membranes that could be attractive for oxygen-enriched air production. The O2/N2 gas separation performance of the MMMs has been analyzed in terms of permeability, diffusivity, and solubility in the temperature range of 298–333 K. The higher the temperature of the oxygen-enriched stream, the lower the energy required for the combustion process. The effect of temperature on the gas permeability, diffusivity, and solubility of these MMMs is described in terms of the Arrhenius and Van’t Hoff relationships with acceptable accuracy. Moreover, the O2/N2 permselectivity of the MMMs increases with temperature, the O2/N2 selectivities being considerably higher than those of the pure PTMSP. In consequence, most of the MMMs prepared in this work exceeded the Robeson’s upper bound for the O2/N2 gas pair in the temperature range under study, with not much decrease in the O2 permeabilities, reaching O2/N2 selectivities of up to 8.43 and O2 permeabilities up to 4,800 Barrer at 333 K.

Progress on Incorporating Zeolites in Matrimid®5218 Mixed Matrix Membranes towards Gas Separation

“…This is because a strong interaction of polymer–filler, formed by hydrogen bonds, is obtained, limiting the thermal motion of polymer; by this, the needed energy for polymer chain movement–segmentation is increased. Zeolites have been the first fillers to be proposed in MMMs for gas separation [ 40 ]; this is because they are a type of materials with a uniform pore system with molecule-sized dimensions, high porosity, large surface areas, excellent thermal and chemical stability [ 5 , 41 ], and easy regenerability [ 33 ]. They are particularly promising materials for the preparation of molecular-sieving membranes, being capable of separating gases in industrial conditions.…”

Enhanced O2/N2 Separation of Mixed-Matrix Membrane Filled with Pluronic-Compatibilized Cobalt Phthalocyanine Particles

“…Separation of oxygen (O 2 ) and nitrogen (N 2 ) from the air has attracted a vast amount of interest in the medical and chemical industries [1]. For instance, the application of oxygen-enriched air is often preferred in fuel combustion processes since an increased oxygen content in the oxidant gas assures a higher energy efficiency in the overall process [2,3].…”

Multilayer Polymeric Nano composite Membrane for Oxygen Separation

“…Two major types of primary components are present in the atmospheric air which is nitrogen and oxygen and an oxy-rich air is needed for many industrial applications [1]. Pure oxygen is required for the metal production process [2], medical processes, air humidification, combustion processes [3][4][5][6][7] and bioprocesses [8] including food packing industry [9]. The two major types of air separation processes are cryogenic distillation and pressure swing adsorption and are considered as traditional methods for air separation.…”