70
High-Performance
Plasticization-Resistant Membranes for Natural Gas Separations--Membrane
Technology and Research, Inc., 1360 Willow Road, Suite 103, Menlo Park, CA
94025-1524; 650-328-2228, www.mtrinc.com
Dr.
Ingo Pinnau, Principal Investigator,
ipin@mtrinc.com
Ms.
Elizabeth Weiss, Business Official,
egweiss@mtrinc.com
DOE
Grant No. DE-FG02-03ER83710
Amount:
$749,994
Approximately 20% of U.S.
natural
gas reserves are subquality due to a high carbon dioxide content.
Membrane separation is an attractive technology to remove this carbon
dioxide; however, membranes with higher flux and selectivity are required to
improve the economics and reliability of the technology.
This project will develop a new type of fluorinated polymer membrane that
has exceptional permeation characteristics and is resistant to plasticization
and attack by higher hydrocarbons, aromatics, and other liquids.
In Phase I, thin-film composite membranes were made from a series of
glassy polymers that were chemically modified using a novel fluorination
process. The best membranes had
carbon dioxide/methane selectivities of 35 to 40 and carbon dioxide permeances
of 70 GPU when tested at 500 to 1,000 psi with hydrocarbon-rich gas.
In Phase II, these membranes will be scaled up to industrial scale and
evaluated in pilot-scale systems at natural gas processing plants.
Commercial
Applications and Other Benefits as
described by awardee: Currently,
membrane separation has only a 4-6% share of the total carbon dioxide/natural
gas separation market. Improved
membranes should lower the cost of membrane processes and substantially increase
the membrane market share.