Optimization of dual-layer hollow fiber technology for superior gas separation

Abstract

To simultaneously enhance O 2 and CO 2 gas permeance and O 2/N 2 and CO 2/CH 4 selectivity via decoupling, the effects of elongational and shear rates on dense-selective layer and optimizing spinning conditions were studied in dual-layer hollow fiber. The dual-layer polyethersulfone hollow fiber membranes exhibited an O 2/N 2 selectivity of 6.96 and an O 2 permeance of 4.79 GPU. The hollow fibers showed an impressive CO 2/CH 4 selectivily of 49.8 in the mixed gas system considering the intrinsic value of only 32 for polyethersulfone dense films. This gas separation performance demonstrated that the optimization of dual-layer spinning conditions with balanced elongational and shear rates is an effective approach to produce superior hollow fiber membranes for oxygen enrichment and natural gas separation. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the 8th World Congress of Chemical Engineering (Montreal, Quebec, Canada 8/23-27/2009).