Crosslinked Poly(ether-b-amide) Membranes for Gas Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current polymeric membranes for natural gas separation face challenges in achieving high CO2 permeability, thermal stability, and CO2/CH4 selectivity, while also being prone to plasticization and physical aging.
Innovation Solution
Crosslinked poly(ether-b-amide) membranes are developed using a diisocyanate polyether, where the poly(ether-b-amide) copolymer forms urethane crosslinks with the diisocyanate polyether, enhancing mechanical strength and resistance to plasticization, and improving gas separation selectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polymeric membranes are used for gas separation, then permeability and selectivity are achieved, but physical aging and plasticization occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite crosslinked structure combining poly(ether-b-amide) copolymer with diisocyanate polyether crosslinker. This composite approach creates a network structure that resists plasticization and physical aging while maintaining gas separation performance. The crosslinked composite material exhibits superior stability compared to conventional uncrosslinked polymeric membranes.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional polymeric membranes are used for CO2 separation, then CO2/CH4 selectivity is achieved, but CO2 permeability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the membrane structure by introducing crosslinks through diisocyanate polyether, which changes the physical and chemical parameters of the poly(ether-b-amide) matrix. This parameter change creates a more open structure with enhanced CO2 permeability while maintaining selectivity through the specific crosslinking architecture and urethane bond formation.
3Quantity of substance
If polymeric membranes are designed for gas separation, then permeability is improved, but thermal stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The crosslinked composite structure combines the gas permeability of poly(ether-b-amide) with the thermal stability enhancement provided by the diisocyanate crosslinking network. The urethane crosslinks formed during crosslinking create a thermally stable framework that maintains membrane performance at elevated temperatures while preserving gas separation capability.
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 crosslinked membranes exhibit significantly increased CO2 permeability and CO2/CH4 selectivity, along with improved mechanical properties and resistance to plasticization, effectively separating sour gas components in natural gas.
Implementation Method 1
the poly(ether-b-amide) copolymer forms urethane crosslinks with the diisocyanate polyether
Implementation Method 2
The crosslinked membranes exhibit significantly increased CO2 permeability and CO2/CH4 selectivity
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods of making a gas separation membrane, a gas separation membrane, and method of gas separation. The gas separation membrane includes cross-linked poly(ether-b-amide) copolymer, in which the poly(ether-b-amide) copolymer comprise urethane crosslinks which is the reaction product of poly(ether-b-amide) copolymer and diisocyanate polyether according to formula (I).