Fabrication of composite PAN/PEBA/PDMS membrane for separation of CO2 from syngas (CO2/H2)

In this investigation a composite membrane has been fabricated to separate acid gases from light gas streams. This type of the membranes can be applied to remove CO2 from steam reformed streams, H2, in ammonia producer industrial plants. The selective skin layer was fabricated with poly (Ether Block Amide), PEBA (grade 1657), on poly (acrylonitrile) PAN porous substrate by solution casting and solvent evaporation method. The protective layer, poly (dimethylsilicone) [PDMS], was used for sealing the defects of PEBA selective layer. The prepared composite membrane was tested at industrial operating condition (65 °C and 26 bar) with pure gases (CO2 and H2), and the obtained results showed that the prepared membranes has an acceptable separation performance. Additionally, morphology of the support layer and formation of the selective layer were visually examined with SEM analysis

Keywords:

gas separation , composite membranes , syngas