Gas separation
Encyclopedia
Gas mixtures can be effectively separated by synthetic membranes. For other methods see adsorption
, absorption, cryogenic distillation
.
Membranes are employed in:
Usually nonporous polymeric membranes are used. There vapours and gases are separated due to their different solubility and diffusivity in polymers. Polymers in glassy state, generally more effective for separation, predominantly differentiate in diffusivity. Small molecules of penetrants move among polymer chains according to the formation of local gaps by thermal motion of polymer segments. Free volume of the polymer, its distribution and local changes of distribution are of the utmost importance. Then diffusivity of a penetrant depends mainly on its molecular size.
Porous membranes can also be utilized for the gas separation. The pore diameter must be smaller than the mean free path
of gas molecules. Under normal condition (100 kPa, 300 K) it is about 50 nm. Then the gas flux through the pore is proportional to molecules velocity i.e. inversely proportional to square root of the molecule mass. It is known as Knudsen diffusion
. Gas flux through a porous membrane is much higher than through nonporous one – 3 to 5 orders of magnitude. Separation efficiency is moderate – hydrogen passes 4 times faster than oxygen. Porous polymeric or ceramic membranes for ultrafiltration
serve the purpose.
Note, in case the pores are larger than the limit then viscous flow occurs, hence no separation.
In special cases other materials can be utilized, for example Palladium membranes permit transport solely of hydrogen.
Adsorption
Adsorption is the adhesion of atoms, ions, biomolecules or molecules of gas, liquid, or dissolved solids to a surface. This process creates a film of the adsorbate on the surface of the adsorbent. It differs from absorption, in which a fluid permeates or is dissolved by a liquid or solid...
, absorption, cryogenic distillation
Distillation
Distillation is a method of separating mixtures based on differences in volatilities of components in a boiling liquid mixture. Distillation is a unit operation, or a physical separation process, and not a chemical reaction....
.
Membranes are employed in:
- separation of nitrogen or oxygen out of air
- separation of hydrogenHydrogenHydrogen is the chemical element with atomic number 1. It is represented by the symbol H. With an average atomic weight of , hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant chemical element, constituting roughly 75% of the Universe's chemical elemental mass. Stars in the main sequence are mainly...
from gases like nitrogenNitrogenNitrogen is a chemical element that has the symbol N, atomic number of 7 and atomic mass 14.00674 u. Elemental nitrogen is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and mostly inert diatomic gas at standard conditions, constituting 78.08% by volume of Earth's atmosphere...
and methaneMethaneMethane is a chemical compound with the chemical formula . It is the simplest alkane, the principal component of natural gas, and probably the most abundant organic compound on earth. The relative abundance of methane makes it an attractive fuel... - recovery of hydrogen from product streams of ammoniaAmmoniaAmmonia is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the formula . It is a colourless gas with a characteristic pungent odour. Ammonia contributes significantly to the nutritional needs of terrestrial organisms by serving as a precursor to food and fertilizers. Ammonia, either directly or...
plants - recovery of hydrogen in oil refineryOil refineryAn oil refinery or petroleum refinery is an industrial process plant where crude oil is processed and refined into more useful petroleum products, such as gasoline, diesel fuel, asphalt base, heating oil, kerosene, and liquefied petroleum gas...
processes - separation of methane from the other components of biogasBiogasBiogas typically refers to a gas produced by the biological breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. Organic waste such as dead plant and animal material, animal dung, and kitchen waste can be converted into a gaseous fuel called biogas...
- enrichment of air by oxygenOxygen concentratorAn oxygen concentrator is a device providing oxygen therapy to a patient at minimally to substantially higher concentrations than available in ambient air. They are used as a safer, less expensive, and more convenient alternative to tanks of compressed oxygen. Common models retail at around US$800...
for medical or metallurgical purposes - enrichment of ullage by nitrogen in Inerting systemInerting systemAn inerting system increases the safety of a fuel tank, ball mill, or other sealed or closed-in tank that contains highly flammable material. Inert in scientific terminology means ‘not readily reactive with other elements; forming no chemical compounds or something that is not chemically...
s designed to prevent fuel tank explosions - removal of water vaporWater vaporWater vapor or water vapour , also aqueous vapor, is the gas phase of water. It is one state of water within the hydrosphere. Water vapor can be produced from the evaporation or boiling of liquid water or from the sublimation of ice. Under typical atmospheric conditions, water vapor is continuously...
from natural gasNatural gasNatural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural... - removal of CO2Carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...
from natural gas - removal of H2SHydrogen sulfideHydrogen sulfide is the chemical compound with the formula . It is a colorless, very poisonous, flammable gas with the characteristic foul odor of expired eggs perceptible at concentrations as low as 0.00047 parts per million...
from natural gas - removal of volatileVolatility (chemistry)In chemistry and physics, volatility is the tendency of a substance to vaporize. Volatility is directly related to a substance's vapor pressure. At a given temperature, a substance with higher vapor pressure vaporizes more readily than a substance with a lower vapor pressure.The term is primarily...
organic liquids (VOL) from air of exhaust streams - desiccation
Usually nonporous polymeric membranes are used. There vapours and gases are separated due to their different solubility and diffusivity in polymers. Polymers in glassy state, generally more effective for separation, predominantly differentiate in diffusivity. Small molecules of penetrants move among polymer chains according to the formation of local gaps by thermal motion of polymer segments. Free volume of the polymer, its distribution and local changes of distribution are of the utmost importance. Then diffusivity of a penetrant depends mainly on its molecular size.
Porous membranes can also be utilized for the gas separation. The pore diameter must be smaller than the mean free path
Mean free path
In physics, the mean free path is the average distance covered by a moving particle between successive impacts which modify its direction or energy or other particle properties.-Derivation:...
of gas molecules. Under normal condition (100 kPa, 300 K) it is about 50 nm. Then the gas flux through the pore is proportional to molecules velocity i.e. inversely proportional to square root of the molecule mass. It is known as Knudsen diffusion
Knudsen diffusion
Knudsen diffusion is a means of diffusion that occurs in a long pore with a narrow diameter because molecules frequently collide with the pore wall.Consider the diffusion of gas molecules through very small capillary pores...
. Gas flux through a porous membrane is much higher than through nonporous one – 3 to 5 orders of magnitude. Separation efficiency is moderate – hydrogen passes 4 times faster than oxygen. Porous polymeric or ceramic membranes for ultrafiltration
Ultrafiltration
Ultrafiltration is a variety of membrane filtration in which hydrostatic pressure forces a liquid against a semipermeable membrane. Suspended solids and solutes of high molecular weight are retained, while water and low molecular weight solutes pass through the membrane...
serve the purpose.
Note, in case the pores are larger than the limit then viscous flow occurs, hence no separation.
In special cases other materials can be utilized, for example Palladium membranes permit transport solely of hydrogen.
See also
- BarrerBarrerA Barrer is a non-SI unit of gas permeability used in the contact lens industry. It is a bulk property. It is named after Richard Barrer.-Definition:1 Barrer = 10-11 cm cm-2 s-1 mmHg-1. or...
- Primary Life Support SystemPrimary Life Support SystemA Primary Life Support System , is a device connected to an astronaut's or cosmonaut's spacesuit, which allows extra-vehicular activity with maximum freedom, independent of a spacecraft's life support system. The PLSS is generally worn like a backpack...
- Nitrogen generator#Membrane technology