Abstract
This paper reports the preparation and characterization of gas transport using tubular alumina support and silica membrane for propylene (C3H6) and nitrogen (N2) separation. Dip-coating technique was employed to deposit silica on the support after which the membrane was heat treated at 65 0C. Nitrogen adsorption measurements reveal that this membrane possesses mesostructure with pore diameter of 3.940 nm and BET surface of 0.484 m2/g. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies show that the layers are defect free and energy diffraction x-ray analysis (EDXA) confirms the compositional element of silica. Propylene and nitrogen permeation tests also confirm that the membrane is defect free with C3H6/N2 selectivity of 1.79 higher than ideal Knudsen selectivity.
Highlights
Hydrocarbons are among the most common air pollutants expelled from many industrial processes e.g. chemical (Khan & Ghoshal, 2000), metal cleaning (Huang & Lin, 1997) among others
The Gothenburg Protocol that was adopted by the EU in 1999 to abate acidification, eutrophication and ground level ozone sets emission levels for sulphur, nitrous oxide, volatile organic compounds (VOC) and ammonia when fully implemented it is expected that European VOC emission will be cut down by 40% when compared to 1990 levels (Derwent, et al 2010)
A number of emerging techniques are being developed as a substitute to more established processes such as absorption, adsorption and condensation and membrane processes (Khan & Ghoshal, 2000; Huang & Lin, 1997)
Summary
Hydrocarbons are among the most common air pollutants expelled from many industrial processes e.g. chemical (Khan & Ghoshal, 2000), metal cleaning (Huang & Lin, 1997) among others. Membrane processes has recently emerged as the state-of-the-art technology for such application This technique was earlier applied in the last five decades for desalination purposes (Khan & Ghoshal, 2000), volatile organic compounds (VOC) removal (Khan & Ghoshal, 2000; Huang & Lin, 1997; Tahir & Koh, 1999; Saracco & Specchia, 2000; Pina, et al, 1996; Pina, et al, 1997; Benard, et al, 2009; Benard, et al, 2010) and natural gas processing (Kajama, et al, 2014). N2 sorption at 77 K, SEM and EDXA were employed for membrane characterization
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