N-INNER High permeance nano porous tubular zeolite membranes for efficient separation of CO2 and methanol at demanding conditions

Separation of, ions and molecules in liquid and molecules in gases are important for both natural and industrial processes. Nature has developed extremely selective membranes which are part of the cell walls of all living organisms. For industrial processes, in the other hand, are most membranes based on polymer materials. Polymer (plastic) based membranes have natural limitations regarding the use at high temperatures or high pressures. Industrial processes are normally operated at harsh conditions, temperatures above 500 degrees and pressures above 100 atmospheres. Ceramic materials are the only one that can withstand such harsh condition. The aim of this project has been to develop new membranes based on microporous ceramic materials. The main focus has been on separation of CO2 from the other gases, N2 and CH4. This has been a collaborative project between; University of Lulea Sweden, University of Oulu in Finland, Fraunhofer Institute of Ceramic Technologies and Systems, Hermsdorf, Germany and the University of Oslo.

The aim of HIP NANOMEM is to develop a key technology based on ZM for efficient gas separation of CO2, H2S and methanol at demanding conditions in the applications of natural and synthesis gas sweetening and production of renewable fuels. The main object ive is to produce technical prototypes of ZM with proven long term stability and superior performance in terms of permeance, separation factor and robustness compared to current technology. This will be achieved by combining for the first time high perme ance and appropriate geometry, tailoring the adsorption properties and the pore size of the membranes, and preventing crack formation in the resulting composite membranes through a novel approach, i.e. the preparation of zeolite films on zeolite supports to arrive at AZM. Moreover, the complete separation process will be modelled and optimized to maximize energy efficiency. The team of researchers behind the proposal is currently in the international forefront in the preparation of ZM, in zeolite synthe sis and in process modeling and one aim of the research team in this project is to strengthen the position as a world leading research group. The procedure of growing ultra thin ZM discs will be transferred to tubular geometry. Membranes based on MFI ze olite will be modified for maximum CO2 selectivity and a new zeolite structure, SSZ-64, will be investigated as membrane material. All-zeolite membranes will be made possible by the development of zeolite porous tubular supports. In addition, activities t o test and model the performance of the membranes will be carried out. Thanks to their astonishing properties, it is anticipated that these membranes can improve numerous processes in the chemical and energy industries and for instance open up for effici ent production of energy and renewable fuels from biomass. Zeolite membranes may thus be a key technology to enable massive production of renewable fuels and energy in biorefineries in the northern Europe.