How Gas Separation Membrane Technology Saves Energy
Around 35 years ago a new industry was born that has developed advanced ways to separate the components of gases. The process is becoming increasingly important as a way to save production costs while producing less environmental pollution, and is still in its infancy. What began as experiments in diffusion has led to the emergence of processes being widely used today, and gas separation membrane technology is developing rapidly.
The process is already being used to remove nitrogen from the air, to separate carbon dioxide and water vapor during the refinement of natural gas, and to separate hydrogen in ammonia production facilities and petrochemical plants. In the past, various types of filters have been used to separate the individual components of water and other liquids, and similar principles also apply today to filtering industrial gases.
The newer processes have become especially significant within the petrochemical industry, and are now cost-competitive with other methods. Extracting various valuable components from natural gas has been historically expensive, but can now be removed quickly and efficiently without incurring extra costs. The associated equipment is relatively simple to use, and is considered low-maintenance. Related sales are in the multi-miillion dollar range.
Membranes are the key to the success and efficiency. While the materials they are made of may differ, all are basically a type of barrier that is selectively permeable. They are designed to allow different materials, including liquids, vapors and gases to pass through at varying speeds, restricting the flow of specific molecules. Some are slowed down, while others are prevented from crossing the barrier entirely.
Polymers are the most common materials used to make these filters. This form of plastic can be fashioned into hollow fibers that have a large surface dimension when made into a filter. They are made using existing manufacturing technology, which keeps production costs at a reasonable level. Current technology is advanced enough to make large-scale production for industry practical.
In many cases this process can operate on a continuous basis using a gas mixture that streams under pressure. The substances are forced to pass by or through a membrane, allowing specific molecules to exit the other side, and preventing some from gaining access. Those blocked from crossing can also be collected and stored, and the efficiency of the process is directly related to filtering properties.
The most attractive advantage associated with this process is the removal of a major step in production that is characteristic of more established technologies, which include cryogenic distillation of air, amine absorption, or basic condensation. The older processes all include a phase where gas converts to liquid, a step that necessarily uses more energy and is costlier. Membranes eliminate that effort at significant cost savings.
Because the petrochemical industry must continuously find new ways to produce fuels and other products in a way that makes the best use of existing raw materials, the future of this type of technology is open-ended. New applications can be applied to growth areas such as the removal of hydrocarbons from hydrogen or methane, or propylene from propane. Expansion in the next two decades promises to be continuous.
The process is already being used to remove nitrogen from the air, to separate carbon dioxide and water vapor during the refinement of natural gas, and to separate hydrogen in ammonia production facilities and petrochemical plants. In the past, various types of filters have been used to separate the individual components of water and other liquids, and similar principles also apply today to filtering industrial gases.
The newer processes have become especially significant within the petrochemical industry, and are now cost-competitive with other methods. Extracting various valuable components from natural gas has been historically expensive, but can now be removed quickly and efficiently without incurring extra costs. The associated equipment is relatively simple to use, and is considered low-maintenance. Related sales are in the multi-miillion dollar range.
Membranes are the key to the success and efficiency. While the materials they are made of may differ, all are basically a type of barrier that is selectively permeable. They are designed to allow different materials, including liquids, vapors and gases to pass through at varying speeds, restricting the flow of specific molecules. Some are slowed down, while others are prevented from crossing the barrier entirely.
Polymers are the most common materials used to make these filters. This form of plastic can be fashioned into hollow fibers that have a large surface dimension when made into a filter. They are made using existing manufacturing technology, which keeps production costs at a reasonable level. Current technology is advanced enough to make large-scale production for industry practical.
In many cases this process can operate on a continuous basis using a gas mixture that streams under pressure. The substances are forced to pass by or through a membrane, allowing specific molecules to exit the other side, and preventing some from gaining access. Those blocked from crossing can also be collected and stored, and the efficiency of the process is directly related to filtering properties.
The most attractive advantage associated with this process is the removal of a major step in production that is characteristic of more established technologies, which include cryogenic distillation of air, amine absorption, or basic condensation. The older processes all include a phase where gas converts to liquid, a step that necessarily uses more energy and is costlier. Membranes eliminate that effort at significant cost savings.
Because the petrochemical industry must continuously find new ways to produce fuels and other products in a way that makes the best use of existing raw materials, the future of this type of technology is open-ended. New applications can be applied to growth areas such as the removal of hydrocarbons from hydrogen or methane, or propylene from propane. Expansion in the next two decades promises to be continuous.
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