Gas Separation Membranes Using Cementitious-Zeolite Composite

• Author / Creator

  Shafie, Amir Hossein

• Natural zeolite-based membranes have recently shown promise in the separation of H2 from CO2 and hydrocarbons. However, these highly dense, naturally monolithic materials can suffer defects which disrupt the continuity of the zeolite
  micropores and create leak paths through the membrane. Cement materials were explored as a component to generate mixed-matrix zeolite membranes. The ability
  for cement to intergrow between the zeolite particles promised to, under proper conditions, provide a smooth non-boundary interface with the zeolite particles and
  eliminate interparticle voids. The influence of zeolite contents in the composite membranes, operating pressures and temperatures on the performance of the
  membranes were examined. Gas permeation results show a hydrogen permeance of 4.1 × 10-8 mol.m-2.s-1.Pa-1 a CO2 permeance of 1.6 × 10-9 mol.m-2.s-1.Pa-1 and a
  H2/CO2 single gas selectivity of 25 were obtained at 25oC and 1 atm. The gas permeance through the clinoptilolite cement composite membrane was dependent
  on operating temperature, indicating that the permeation through the membrane was an activated diffusion process and that the permeation through the zeolite
  embedded in the composite membrane was predominant. However, the increase of gas permeation and the corresponding decrease of H2/CO2 selectivity with
  increasing total pressure are an indication of some defects in the composite membranes. Further research to optimize the membrane preparation conditions and to modify the membrane surface to improve hydrogen permeation and
  H2/CO2 selectivity is needed.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Gas separation
  • Membranes
  • Natural zeolite

• Graduation date

  Spring 2012

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3J59Z

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.