Membrane Technologies for Gas Separation Applications

Global Trend Towards Alternative
and Renewable Energy

Concern over energy production and use has increased as energy conservation and global climate control have become major issues. Petroleum-based fuel is the most widely used energy source today. But depletion of petroleum reserves make alternative energy sources, such as coal, and renewable energy sources, such as biomass, imperatives. For climate control, green-house gas (carbon dioxide) emissions must be reduced during energy use. Today, maximizing fuel efficiency, finding alternative energy sources, and limiting global warming are critical in energy-producing industries. To help our customers accomplish these goals, Pall Corporation has been developing new high-temperature, high-pressure gas separation membrane technologies.

Gas Separation is Key to
Increased Energy Efficiency

High-temperature, high-pressure gas separation is a key enabling technology for increasing efficiency in various applications involving advanced power generation concepts and chemical synthesis processes.

Advanced power generation concepts. In the integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) concept for producing power and/or hydrogen from coal and renewable fuels, high-temperature separation of hydrogen (H₂) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) can improve energy efficiency significantly.

Chemical synthesis processes.In high-temperature chemical synthesis processes, separation of process gases at high temperatures can substantially increase both energy efficiency and process yields.

Gas Separation Technologies for High-Temperature,
High-Pressure Applications

Pall Corporation has expertise in the following gas separation technologies.

• Hydrogen (H₂) separation from gas mixtures
• H₂production
  • Hydrocarbon reforming View a presentation about Pall capabilities for this application.
  • Alternative fuels processing using coal and biomass
  • Low-cost production
  • Sustained hydrogen economy
• H₂/CO₂ separation –
  • CO₂ recovery through hydrogen separation to reduce GHG emissions

Pall’s Inorganic Membranes Reduce Costs in Gas Separation Applications

Functional membranes with gas species separation ability are required for high-temperature, high-pressure gas separation. Pall’s AccuSep™ porous inorganic materials can be used to reduce costs associated with these advanced membranes.

Microporous AccuSep membranes, which are available in tubular format, can be used as supports upon which thin, high-temperature functional membranes can be deposited. These support structures minimize the required thickness of the more expensive membranes, such as those consisting of Pd-alloys or high-temperature polymers. AccuSep membranes also provide superior structural strength needed for operation in high-temperature, high-pressure gas separation applications.

Pall’s Gas Separation Membrane Capabilities

Pall Corporation has the capability to develop Pd-alloy composite membranes using thin Pd-alloy films deposited on porous stainless steel AccuSep supports. These membranes can enable high-temperature, high-pressure separation of hydrogen, with efficient recovery of CO₂, from synthesis gas generated from a variety of feedstocks. They are suitable for compact hydrogen generation units for small power generation systems and for onsite hydrogen production in hydrogen fueling stations. Additionally, the membranes can facilitate the processing of alternative energy sources (such as coal and biomass) while curbing greenhouse gas (CO₂) emissions. See a poster about our gas separation membrane capabilities.

For more information about membrane technologies for gas separation applications, please contact your local Pall office or send an email to industrialmaterials@pall.com.