CO2/N2 Separation through Cross-linked EPDM Membrane

A cross-linked Ethylene Propylene diene monomer (C-EPDM) by solution casting method was prepared. Surface morphology properties of the membranes were evaluated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Moreover, permeabilities of carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2) gases and CO2/N2 selectivity at different pressures were investigated. Gas selectivity of cross-linked membrane is higher than neat membrane as a result of peroxide crosslinking which improves general properties of EPDM-based membranes such as selectivity characteristics, resistance at high temperatures, elastic behavior with respect to compression, mechanical stability in the case of aggressive gases, and specially the resistance to CO2 plasticization at high pressures. With the increase in feed pressure (from 1 to 6 bar), at ambient temperature a slight increase in the permeability of gases was observed, while CO2/N2 selectivity was not considerably affected. The maximun selectivity was achieved 7.23 at 6 bar pressure for Cross-linked EPDM membrane