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Novel Low-Cost Zeolite Ceramic Membrane Module--CeraMem Corporation, 12 Clematis Avenue, Waltham, MA 02154-7011; 781-899-4495
Dr. Richard J. Higgins, Principal Investigator
Dr. Robert L. Goldsmith, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-98ER82548
Amount: $750,000
The unique material and separation properties of zeolite membranes provide several advantages over other membranes. These advantages include high temperature stability and inertness to organic media, as well as remarkable separation selectivities. However, a practical and cost-effective module that incorporates such zeolite membranes is lacking. This project will develop a low-cost, high-surface-area, zeolite membrane module, which is suitable for high temperature service and inert to attack by organics and other separable materials. The module will employ chemically inert, ceramic monoliths as zeolite membrane supports. Full-size modules will have over 20 square meters of membrane area. In Phase I, zeolite membranes were applied to small tubular supports fabricated from the ceramic monolith material. The membranes demonstrated excellent separation properties. In Phase II, high-selectivity zeolite membranes will be fabricated on small monolithic supports with subsequent scale-up to larger monolithic supports. Alternate zeolite membrane compositions will also be developed for separation of light gas mixtures. At least one of the zeolite membrane types will be scaled-up in a monolithic module with approximately 3.5 square meters of membrane area.
Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: Many applications exist in the petroleum refining, petrochemical, chemical, and high-purity gas industries, including separation of various light gases and close-boiling hydrocarbons, dehydration of organic fluids, removal of organics from aqueous streams, and hydrogen recovery.