Effects of water vapor on gas permeation and separation properties of MFI zeolite membranes at high temperatures

Abstract

AbstractUnderstanding the effects of water vapor on gas permeation and separation properties of MFI zeolite membranes, especially at high temperatures, is important to the applications of these zeolite membranes for chemical reactions and separation involving water vapor. The effects of water vapor on H2 and CO2 permeation and separation properties of ZSM‐5 (Si/Al ∼ 80) zeolite and aluminum‐free silicalite membranes were studied by comparing permeation properties of H2 and CO2 with the feed of equimolar H2/CO2 binary and H2/CO2/H2O ternary mixtures in 300–550°C. For both membranes, the presence of water vapor lowers H2 and CO2 permeance to the same extent, resulting in negligible effect on the H2/CO2 separation factor. The suppression effect of water vapor on H2 and CO2 permeation is larger for the less hydrophobic ZSM‐5 zeolite membrane than for the hydrophobic silicalite membrane, and, for both membranes, is stronger at lower temperatures and higher water vapor partial pressures. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012