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Membrane Development

RTI-developed membrane for industrial gas separations

Membrane-based gas separation is an increasingly viable and cost-effective alternative (or complement) to traditional separation technology. At RTI, we develop novel membrane-based processes for industrial gas separation applications (such as CO₂ separation) in collaboration with industry, the U.S. Department of Energy, and universities.

Synthesis and Characterization

Our researchers are highly skilled in synthesizing thin-film polymer composite membranes and nanocomposite polymer membranes that incorporate particles with beneficial properties. We effectively evaluate and screen novel membranes for various industrial applications using a wide range of techniques and analytical equipment:

• Mechanical stability
• SEM and TEM
• Atomic force microscopy
• Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
• DSC

Examples of
RTI-Developed Membranes

• Reverse-selective polymeric membranes for acid gas removal from syngas
• Hydrogen-selective polymer membranes to purify hydrogen from syngas
• Fluorinated polymer membrane and process for CO₂ capture in power plants

Energy dispersive X-ray analysis

Mechanical stability

TGA

Pore size and surface area measure

Testing

We maintain a sophisticated laboratory that allows for a wide range of gas permeance and sorption testing on both client- and RTI-developed membranes. We test at various pressures, temperatures, and in different gas environments to determine the long-term effects of realistic gas environments on membrane performance:

• Multi-component gas mixtures
• High pressure (up to 1,500 psia)
• High temperature (up to 350°C)
• Toxic and corrosive gases (CO, H₂S, CO₂, SO₂, etc.)
• Humidified gas mixtures
   

Process Design, Simulation, and Pilot Operation

We have a dedicated staff of engineers with extensive experience in process design, engineering, and modeling—critical elements in developing economically-feasible membrane technologies. Process design and simulation is used to set targets for membrane properties and performance and to assist scale-up of our most promising membranes to pilot scale. We have also developed our own simulation software package, which is AspenPlus^® and HYSYS compatible, for modeling multicomponent gas separation in a hollow-fiber membrane contactor.