Separation techniques: membranes for natural gas sweetening and CO/sub 2/ enrichment
The ability of polymeric membranes to separate gases has been poor since the 19th century. Early polymeric membranes showed poor selectivity (separation); even the most permeable of gases exhibited poor productivities (fluxes). Due to the inability to perfect a process to produce uniformly good membranes in quantity, practical industrial gas separation systems were not successful. In 1960, a technical breakthrough came with the development of asymmetric membranes for reverse osmosis and their subsequent adaptation to gaseous separation. Based upon development and commercialization of membranes for water desalination by reverse osmosis, Envirogenics Systems Co. has developed gas separation membranes suitable for large-scale industrial applications. The cellulose acetate membrane is produced in flat sheet form and to retain its asymmetric character the membrane is heat-treated and dried by proprietary techniques. This produces a highly selective, dense, active layer with a thick porous support layer having high mechanical stability to withstand high feed gas pressures and high pressure differentials. The membrane is incorporated into spiral-wound elements similar to those for reverse osmosis applications. The membrane, which has been field tested for sweetening natural gas, also can be used for enhanced oil recovery and oxygen enrichment.
- OSTI ID:
- 6384155
- Journal Information:
- Chem. Eng. Prog.; (United States), Vol. 78:10
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
02 PETROLEUM
CARBON DIOXIDE
PURIFICATION
NATURAL GAS
SEPARATION EQUIPMENT
DESIGN
CARBON DIOXIDE INJECTION
ENHANCED RECOVERY
MANUFACTURING
MEMBRANES
OIL WELLS
OSMOSIS
OXYGEN ENRICHMENT
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
DIFFUSION
ENERGY SOURCES
ENRICHMENT
FLUID INJECTION
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
MISCIBLE-PHASE DISPLACEMENT
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RECOVERY
WELLS
030300* - Natural Gas- Drilling
Production
& Processing
020300 - Petroleum- Drilling & Production