Development of CO2 Molecular Gate Membrane Modules for IGCC Process with CO2 Capture

Abstract

The molecular gate membranes (=poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer/polymer hybrid membranes) and the membrane elements were developed for CO2 separation from IGCC process. The membranes and the membrane elements were prepared using the modified poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-based materials. The membranes with large membrane area were prepared by continuous membrane-forming method, and the membrane elements were fabricated using the prepared membranes. Membranes were successfully prepared by the continuous membrane-forming method (20 m-roll). The membrane elements showed reasonable separation performance, though CO2/He selectivity was a little lower than that of the membrane itself. The separation performance and robustness of the membranes were examined. It was shown by comparing CO2/He and CO2/N2 separation performance that CO2 separation performance was not affected by N2. It was suggested by H2S exposure test (500ppm H2S) that the membrane is resistant to H2S under this test condition. Regarding the long-term stability of the membranes, the membrane showed stable separation performance for at least 600h at 2.4MPa (supposed pressure in IGCC process).