Novel hybrid membranes for post combustion CO2 capture in power plant and industry

The HyMemCOPI focuses on post-combustion CO2 capture, and takes the advantages of polymer membranes (flexibility, processability and low cost), and makes a breakthrough improvement in the membrane properties for CO2 capture by integrating multifunctional nano-sized particles in the polymer matrix. CO2 selectivity over N2 of more than 100, and permeance of more than 1 m3/(m2/h/bar) will be aimed. This performance will enable this post-combustion membrane technology to become the next-generation CO2 capture technology. The project aims as well to gain understanding of the transport phenomena in these hybrid membrane materials, considering the effect of multifunctional nano-sized materials, which will enable improved fabrication of low cost and high performance hybrid membranes for CO2 capture. The HyMemCOPI project has employed POSS®-based nanoparticles and PVA selective membrane layers as material system, and has investigated the optimization of the nanoparticle synthesis and characterisation, together with membrane fabrication and gas permeation performance verification. Three different POSS®-based nanoparticles were successfully developed. CO2 absorption-desorption experiments performed in solution showed that the amidino-POSS® provides for the highest cyclic CO2 absorption capacity. Nanocomposite hybrid membranes were successfully manufactured and characterized. It was shown that the thermal stability decreased with the addition of nanoparticles, while the degree of crystallinity of PVA increased by the addition of the nanoparticles. The gas permeation evaluation has showed that humidity has an important role because of the hydrophilic nature of the PVA material. Unfortunately, however, a clear advantageous effect of the nanoparticle addition has not been proven. The gas permeation evaluation, however, proved that the developed membranes were stable in SO2-containing atmospheres. The HyMemCOPI project has so far resulted in 3 accepted articles in peer-reviewed journals and 11 conference contributions. In addition, one article is currently still in peer-review. Moreover, Gabriel Guerrero Heredia, the PhD student employed by the project, successfully defended his thesis on the 24th of October 2017. The competence and results obtained in the HyMemCOPI project have already exploited in other projects (proposals), most currently in a recently accepted H2020 NMBP project and a recently submitted CLIMIT IPN project proposal submitted by a Norwegian SME. Further exploitation will be considered in upcoming RCN calls in the fall of 2018, NANO2021.

HyMemCOPI focuses on post-combustion CO2 capture, takes the advantages of polymer membranes (flexibility, processability and low cost) and makes a breakthrough improvement in the membrane properties for CO2 capture by integrating multifunctional nanosized particles in the polymer matrix. HyMemCOPI targets the main goals of the priority area of CLIMIT, i.e. to improve the cost and energy efficiency of CO2 capture and develop new generation CO2 capture technology with large potential improvements. SINTEF Ma terials and Chemistry and NTNU are the main partners and will collaborate closely with leading groups in USA and Germany. HyMemCOPI will take major steps toward bringing robust membrane technology for CO2 capture to power plants and industry. The project aims to gain understanding of the transport phenomena in hybrid membrane materials, considering the effect of multifunctional nanosized materials which will enable improved fabrication of low cost and high performance hybrid membranes for CO2 capture. SI NTEF will develop cost efficient synthesis of well-defined multifunctional nanomaterials for the fabrication of the novel hybrid membranes. NTNU and SINTEF will together investigate the integration of the nanomaterials into the polymer matrix and shape, m anufacture and test the membranes. One PhD candidate will be educated at NTNU. Personnel exchanges will be considered within the partners in Norway and abroad.