Non-ideal modelling of polymeric hollow-fibre membrane systems: Pre-combustion CO2 capture case study

Abstract

Some membrane gas separation applications operate at high temperature and pressure. However, the majority of membrane gas separation models employ simplifying assumptions which are not realistic under these conditions. In this study, a rigorous model is developed for polymeric hollow-fibre membrane modules incorporating non-isothermal separation (the Joule-Thomson effect), real gas behavior and concentration polarization. The model also accounts for temperature-dependent permeability, friction-based pressure loss on both feed and permeate sides and variable physical and transport properties. The rigorous model is applied for pre-combustion CO2 capture, i.e. CO2/H2 separation, and compared with a simplistic model for various polymeric membranes through changing temperature-independent activation energy of permeation and pre-exponential factor. Two types of H2- and CO2-selective membranes are then chosen for further analysis. As feed conditions change, the deviation between the rigorous and simplistic models ranges approximately from 2 to 12% for stage-cut and 2–20% for the permeate composition. The difference is mostly because of real gas behavior at low stage-cuts, while the Joule-Thomson effect adds to this behavior at high stage-cuts (≥40%) resulting in the greater deviation. The influence of concentration polarization, however, is found negligible even at high stage-cuts.