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Novel Membranes for Upgrading Natural Gas--Compact Membrane Systems, Inc., 325 Water Street, Wilmington, DE  19804; 302-999-7996

Dr. John Bowser, Principal Investigator

Dr. Stuart Nemser, Ph.D, Business Official

DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-00ER82977

Amount:  $100,000

 

Much of our natural gas reserves contain large amounts of non-methane gases, which make them uneconomical to market as natural gas.  While membranes offer potential (and are used in some cases) to remove these non-methane gases and produce pipeline grade natural gas, these membranes either have limited separation capability or have failed because of unanticipated poisoning by heavier hydrocarbons or water vapor.  By introducing robust membranes with enhanced separation capability to the separation process, that are extremely organophobic and hydrophobic, we will 1) enhance the basic economics of natural gas upgrading and 2) provide a system that has the needed fouling resistance to handle heavier hydrocarbons and process upsets.  The program will develop and evaluate natural gas clean up in pilot and commercial slipstream.  Preparation of high selectivity and robust membranes followed by demonstration of enhanced performance.  Both severe and representative conditions will be evaluated.  Engineering analysis of membrane systems will be evaluated.  The goal is 1) 20 percent cost savings in operations and 2) three-fold improvement in stability

 

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:  This high selectivity and robust membrane could enhance the 30 percent of natural gas wells in the United States that need upgrading to remove nonhydrocarbons.  This technology should provide additional value in methane/carbon dioxide separation in enhanced oil recovery.