Gas Separation Membrane Thickness Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas separation membranes require high differential pressure for carbon dioxide separation, leading to high energy consumption and a trade-off between gas selectivity and permeability, which limits their efficiency in separating carbon dioxide from mixed gases.
Innovation Solution
A gas separation membrane configuration featuring a porous layer with controlled thickness and porosity, combined with a denser separation layer formed from organopolysiloxane, enhances mechanical characteristics and achieves both high gas selectivity and permeability for carbon dioxide, reducing energy input by optimizing the thickness and hole diameter ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If a conventional gas separation membrane is used, then carbon dioxide separation is achieved, but high differential pressure is required leading to high energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite membrane structure combining a polysulfone porous support layer with a polyimide separation layer. This composite approach leverages the mechanical strength of polysulfone and the selective permeability of polyimide, achieving effective CO2 separation at lower differential pressures and reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable separation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different material properties to different layers: the porous support layer provides mechanical strength and porosity (40-60%), while the dense separation layer provides selective permeability. This local differentiation of material quality enables the membrane to achieve both structural integrity and separation function at lower operating pressures.
2Productivity
If the permeability of carbon dioxide is increased, then gas permeability improves, but the separation performance of carbon dioxide decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is segmented into two functional layers: a porous support layer for mechanical strength and a dense separation layer for selective permeability. The separation layer thickness is optimized at 0.1-1.0 μm to balance permeability and selectivity, allowing high CO2 permeability while maintaining separation performance through the segmented structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes key parameters including separation layer thickness (0.1-1.0 μm), porosity (40-60%), and molecular weight ratios to achieve the desired balance between permeability and selectivity. By changing these parameters within specific ranges, the membrane achieves high CO2 permeability without sacrificing separation performance.
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 effectively separates carbon dioxide from mixed gases with improved mechanical stability and reduced energy consumption, maintaining high selectivity and permeability while preventing defects and adhesion issues.
Implementation Method 1
a gas selective permeable membrane that selectively allows a specific gas to permeate therethrough
Implementation Method 2
a membrane separation method of separating carbon dioxide using a gas separation membrane
Data Source
AI summary
A gas separation membrane for separating carbon dioxide from a mixed gas containing the carbon dioxide and a non-target component includes: a porous layer; and a separation layer formed of a polymer material and in close contact with one surface of the porous layer. t is 5 nm or more and 500 nm or less, a ratio d/t is more than 2.0 and 100 or less, and a ratio T/t is 100 or more and 10000 or less, where t is an average thickness of the separation layer, d is an average hole diameter of the porous layer, and T is an average thickness of the porous layer.