Carbon-Modified Zeolite Membrane for Ethanol Dehydration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Zeolite membranes with high water separation performance typically have low hydrothermal endurance, limiting their effectiveness in sustained separation processes.
Innovation Solution
A zeolite membrane complex with a molar ratio of carbon to aluminum and silicon greater than or equal to 0.1 and a silicon/aluminum molar ratio of 1 to 6, incorporating a structure-directing agent (SDA) that stabilizes the crystal structure, enhancing both water separation performance and hydrothermal endurance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a zeolite membrane with high water separation performance is used, then water separation performance is improved, but hydrothermal endurance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the zeolite membrane by incorporating carbon at a molar ratio of C/(Al+Si) ≥ 0.1 and controlling the Si/Al molar ratio between 1 and 6. This parameter modification allows the membrane to achieve both high water separation performance (separation factor ≥ 1000) and improved hydrothermal endurance, resolving the traditional trade-off between these two properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite zeolite membrane material that combines traditional aluminum-silicon zeolite structure with carbon incorporation. This composite approach, where carbon is integrated into the zeolite framework at specific ratios, produces a material that simultaneously exhibits high water separation performance and enhanced resistance to hydrothermal degradation.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If carbon content in zeolite membrane is increased to improve hydrothermal endurance, then hydrothermal endurance is improved, but water separation performance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the carbon content parameter by specifying a molar ratio of C/(Al+Si) ≥ 0.1, which is sufficient to improve hydrothermal endurance without excessive carbon accumulation. This precise parameter control ensures that hydrothermal stability is enhanced while water separation performance is maintained at separation factor ≥ 1000 levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies carbon incorporation locally within the zeolite structure at controlled concentrations rather than uniformly throughout. This localized quality approach allows carbon to provide hydrothermal protection at specific sites within the membrane structure while maintaining the overall water separation functionality of the zeolite framework.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The zeolite membrane complex achieves a total permeation flux of at least 1.0 kg/m2 h and a water-to-ethanol separation factor of 1000, while maintaining high hydrothermal endurance, even after exposure to hot water, due to the presence of the SDA in the pores.
Implementation Method 1
Zeolite membrane are conventionally used as separation membranes using a molecular-sieving function
Implementation Method 2
when a mixed solution having a temperature of 60° C. and containing 50 mass % of water and 50 mass % of ethanol is supplied with a permeate pressure of −94.66 kPaG, a total permeation flux is higher than or equal to 1.0 kg/m2 h
Data Source
AI summary
A zeolite membrane complex includes a porous support and a zeolite membrane formed on the support and containing aluminum, silicon, and carbon. In the zeolite membrane, the molar ratio of carbon to the sum of aluminum and silicon is higher than or equal to 0.1. In the zeolite membrane complex, when a mixed solution having a temperature of 60° C. and containing 50 mass % of water and 50 mass % of ethanol is supplied with a permeate pressure of −94.66 kPaG, the total permeation flux is higher than or equal to 1.0 kg/m2 h, and a separation factor of water to ethanol is greater than or equal to 1000.