Carbonized Sulfonated PPE Membrane for CO2 Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas separation membranes for carbon dioxide and methane separation lack economic viability and environmental sustainability, with high power consumption and carbon footprints, and require frequent replacements due to harsh conditions.
Innovation Solution
A selectively permeable membrane made from a carbonization product of sulfonated poly(phenylene ether) copolymer, which has enhanced carbon dioxide permeability, selectivity, and methane recovery, while reducing power consumption and carbon footprint, and is designed for long-term durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional gas separation membranes are used, then carbon dioxide separation is achieved, but power consumption and carbon footprint are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of membrane material composition by using carbonization products of sulfonated poly(phenylene ether) copolymer instead of conventional polymers. This material transformation achieves superior CO2 permeability and selectivity at lower operating pressures, directly reducing power consumption while maintaining high separation performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material strategy by creating membranes from carbonized sulfonated poly(phenylene ether) copolymer, which combines the advantages of sulfonated groups for CO2 affinity and carbonized structure for mechanical stability. This composite approach enables high separation performance with reduced energy requirements compared to single-material conventional membranes
2Reliability
If conventional membranes are used for CO2 separation, then separation is achieved, but service life is short due to harsh conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the membrane material through carbonization, changing its chemical and physical parameters to achieve exceptional stability. The carbonized structure resists chemical degradation from corrosive gases and maintains mechanical integrity at high temperatures, extending service life under harsh conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts this principle by creating membranes with extremely long service lives that do not require frequent replacement. The carbonized polymer membrane's resistance to harsh conditions eliminates the need for disposable or frequently replaced conventional membranes, reducing operational costs and downtime
3Reliability
If high selectivity membranes are used, then carbon dioxide separation is improved, but permeation flux decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by incorporating sulfonated groups in the carbonized polymer structure. These groups create specific interactions with CO2 molecules, enabling high selectivity. Simultaneously, the carbonized matrix maintains open pathways for gas transport, achieving high permeation flux that conventional high-selectivity membranes cannot attain
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 membrane achieves high carbon dioxide permeability, selectivity, and methane recovery with reduced power consumption and carbon footprint, maintaining performance over extended periods under harsh conditions, thus addressing the economic and environmental limitations of existing membranes.
Implementation Method 1
selectively permeating the gaseous stream through the membrane to form a permeate composition
Implementation Method 2
Permeation flux is a measure of volumetric gas flow through a membrane
Data Source
AI summary
A selectively permeable membrane for separating carbon dioxide from methane in a gaseous stream, the membrane comprising a carbonization product of a sulfonated poly(phenylene ether) copolymer, wherein the membrane has: a carbon dioxide permeability of at least 60×10−6 cm3 (STP)/cm2·s cm Hg; a selectivity for carbon dioxide to methane of greater than 40, as measured at 50° C. and 791 kPa; a methane slip of less than 0.6 vol %, based on total volume of methane input; a carbon dioxide recovery of greater than 75%; and a power consumption to produce a purified gaseous stream that is equivalent to less than 90 kJ/kg of natural gas in the purified gaseous stream, preferably, wherein the membrane further has a carbon footprint that is less than 75% of a carbon footprint of a comparable membrane that does not comprise the carbonization product of the sulfonated poly(phenylene ether) copolymer.