Abstract
The separation of propylene and propane is a challenging task in petroleum refineries due to the similar molecular sizes and physical properties of two gases. Composite Poly(ether-block-amide) (Pebax-1657) membranes incorporated with silver tetra fluoroborate (AgBF4 ) in concentrations of 0-50% of the polymer weight were prepared by solution casting and solvent evaporation technique. The membranes were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) and wide-angle X-ray Diffraction (XRD) to study surface and cross-sectional morphologies, effect of incorporation on intermolecular interactions and degree of crystallinity, respectively. Experimental data was measured with an indigenously built high-pressure gas separation manifold having an effective membrane area of 42 cm2 . Permeability and selectivity of membranes were determined for three different binary mixtures of propylene-propane at pressures varying in the range 2-6 bar. Selectivity of C3 H6 /C3 H8 enhanced from 2.92 to 17.22 and 2.11 to 20.38 for 50/50 and 66/34 C3 H6 +C3 H8 feed mixtures, respectively, with increasing loading of AgBF4 . Pebax membranes incorporated with AgBF4 exhibit strong potential for the separation of C3 H6 /C3 H8 mixtures in petroleum refineries.
Highlights
Propylene/propane separation is one of commercially important process in petrochemical industry and petroleum refinery
The characteristic peaks of Ag-Pebax membranes are similar to pristine Pebax, which may be probably due to the suppression of vibration effects caused by silver salt with polymer matrix
The present study demonstrated the feasibility of preparing Thin Film Composite (TFC) membrane of Pebax as well as Ag-Pebax on PES support for C3H6/C3H8 separation
Summary
Renforcement des propriétés barrière aux gaz de matrices polyéthylène et polyamide par l’approche nanocomposite : facteurs clés et limitations. Separation of Binary Mixtures of Propylene and Propane by Facilitated Transport through Silver Incorporated Poly(Ether-Block-Amide) Membranes. Resume — Separation de melanges binaires de propylene et de propane par transport au travers des membranes de poly(ether-bloc-amide) incorporant de l’argent — La masse moleculaire et les proprietes physiques similaires du propylene et du propane rendent problematique la separation des deux gaz dans les raffineries de petrole. Des membranes composites de poly (ether-bloc-amide) (Pebax-1657) incorporant du tetrafluoroborate d’argent (AgBF4) dans des concentrations massiques allant de 0 a 50 % ont etepreparees par enduction et evaporation du solvant. Oil & Gas Science and Technology – Rev. IFP Energies nouvelles, Vol 70 (2015), No 2 binaires de propylene-propane de ratios differents sous des pressions comprises entre 2 et 6 bar. Les membranes Pebax incorporant de l’AgBF4 presentent un fort potentiel pour les applications de separation des melanges de C3H6/C3H8 dans les raffineries de petrole
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
