Thermally Crosslinked Polymer Membrane Resists CO2 Plasticization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Natural gas membranes used for CO2 separation face swelling-induced plasticization due to strongly sorbing species like CO2, which reduces separation efficiency, and existing crosslinking methods using diol agents form vulnerable ester linkages that can be hydrolyzed in aggressive acid gas streams.
Innovation Solution
Thermally crosslinked polymeric compositions where a first polymer with a carboxyl group crosslinks to a second polymer without forming ester groups, using decarboxylation to create crosslinks, thereby enhancing stability against plasticization without the risk of ester hydrolysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional crosslinking methods using diol agents are used, then crosslinking is achieved to reduce plasticization, but vulnerable ester linkages are formed that can be hydrolyzed in aggressive acid gas streams
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the crosslinking reaction by using polyacid anhydride instead of diol agents, forming ether-ether crosslinks through decarboxylation and subsequent condensation reactions rather than ester linkages, thereby eliminating hydrolysis vulnerability while maintaining crosslinking functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potentially harmful effect of acid anhydride reactivity into a beneficial crosslinking mechanism where decarboxylation followed by condensation creates robust ether-ether crosslinks that resist both plasticization and hydrolysis, turning what could be a degradation pathway into a stabilizing crosslink formation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If CO2 concentration is reduced to meet pipeline specifications, then pipeline corrosion is minimized, but membrane performance may be affected at higher CO2 pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary anti-action by pre-crosslinking the polymer matrix to counteract the swelling and plasticization effects that CO2 would otherwise cause, thereby maintaining membrane separation efficiency even when exposed to high CO2 partial pressures in the feed stream
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 solution provides enhanced stability to plasticization and maintains high gas separation efficiency even at higher CO2 pressures, as the crosslinks are robust and resistant to hydrolysis, improving the durability and performance of the membrane.
Implementation Method 1
the first polymer crosslinks to the second polymer by decarboxylation of the first repeat unit
Implementation Method 2
A penetrant from a feed stream sorbs at the surface of the upstream side of the membrane and then diffuses through the membrane film to the downstream surface where it desorbs into the permeate stream
Implementation Method 3
A penetrant from a feed stream sorbs at the surface of the upstream side of the membrane and then diffuses through the membrane film to the downstream surface
Implementation Method 4
strongly sorbing species, such as CO2, swell polymer membranes and cause plasticization of the membrane
Implementation Method 5
plasticization of the membrane, which refers to an increase in permeability due to enhanced polymer segmental mobility
Data Source
AI summary
The various embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to thermally crosslinked polymeric compositions and methods of making thermally crosslinked polymeric compositions. An embodiment of the present invention comprises a composition comprising: a first polymer comprising a first repeat unit, the first repeat unit comprising a carboxyl group, wherein the first polymer crosslinks to a second polymer formed from a second repeat unit, and wherein the first polymer crosslinks to the second polymer without formation of an ester group.