Group U2:

Kyle Demel
Keaton Hamm
Bryan Holekamp
Rachael Houk
http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/id4407.jpg

Molecular Separation by
Nano-porous Membanes
Based on the article A theoretical analysis of non-chemical separation of hydrogen sulfide from methane
by nano-porous membranes using capillary condensations

Outline

Need for molecular separation

Conventional separation

Membrane separation

Membrane synthesis

Conclusion

Future research

http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/id440
7.jpg

Introduction

Natural Gas comes out of the

ground with H2S, which must be
removed before further processing
H2S is very toxic
Starting levels can be high (>5%)
For U.S. pipelines, limit is 4 ppm

Currently, most separation

employ chemical means

processes
http://www3.humboldt.edu/engineering/sites/www3.h
umboldt.edu.engineering/marsh/images/hswarn.gif

One alternative is to use a nano-porous membrane

to achieve a physical separation

Conventional H2S Separation

Traditional methods
Wash with MEA, DEA, or other amines
Use an oxide adsorbent

Disadvantages
Consumes these chemicals
Added hazards due to additional chemicals

http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thu
mbview_approve/4452175/2/istockp
hoto_4452175-chemical-hazardlabel.jpg

http://www.ripi.ir/gas%20processing.jpg

Amine Wash Separation

Removes H2S, CO2,

and mercaptans

Need a lot of
equipment

Need both heating

and cooling utilities

Image from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amine_gas_treating

Oxide Adsorbent

Image from
http://www.cwaller.de/sorbents.htm

Excellent separation achieved

Can have significant pressure drop

Need high temperatures

Use iron oxide or zinc oxide

http://imghost.indiamart.com/data/I/0/MY-267906/Chromatography2_250x250.jpg

Criteria for a Good Membrane

Good selectivity in allowing H2S through and not CH4,

only a small amount of CH4 dissolved in liquid H2S phase

Minimal pressure drop in bulk phase

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Methane-3D-balls.png
http://www.zyvex.com/nanotech/nano4/tuzun/paper1/fi

Mechanism
Nano-porous
membrane Permeate

Bulk Phase
H
2
S

CH
4

CH
4

H
2
S

CH
4
CH
4

H
2
S

CH
4

CH
4

CH
4

H
2
S

CH
4
CH
4

H
2
S

CH
4

H
2
S

H
2
S

A good membrane will

have a high ratio of H2S to
CH4 permeate through.

Nano-porouos
Membranes

sites.google.com/.../home/MAIN_NANO_2.jpg

www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/1/165/ag

csites.google.com/.../home/MAIN_NANO_2.jpg

Temperature vs. Permeability

Separation Factor

Where

x = mole fraction in the pore

y = mole fraction in the bulk

http://tanakalab.iis.utokyo.ac.jp/research/image/ViscoelasticPS_Sim.png

Temperature vs. Separation

Synthesis of Membranes
How are nano-porous membranes created?

Self-ordering electrochemical process

Cyclic anodization
Anodization that creates holes in anode

http://www3.intersci
ence.wiley.com/tmp/
graphtoc/10764032
3/122443547/12226
7098/ncontent

http://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/genchem/topi
creview/bp/ch20/graphics/20_1.gif

Self-Ordering Electrochemical
Process
A schematic

diagram showing
pore formation by
electrochemical self-ordering
A. Scheme of electrochemical cell for

anodization and corresponding

electrochemical reactions.
B. Scheme of pore formation, which
includes several steps:
(I) the formation of oxide layer on metal
surface;
(II) local field distributions caused by surface
fluctuations;
(III) the initiation of pore growth by fieldenhanced dissolution; and
(IV)the pore growth in steady-state condition

C. Typical current density curve obtained

with anodization showing these

stages

Cyclic Anodization

New development by Dr. Ducas Losic of the University

of South Australia

A series of fabrication protocols to precisely control their

most critical parameters, including pore diameters, pore
geometry and surface chemistry

Conclusion

H2S separation is necessary: traditional methods are

acceptable, but nano-porous membranes perform better

The H2S condenses and flows through the membrane to

separate; therefore, membrane transport depends upon
temperature and pressure

Membranes can be made through self-ordering

electrochemical process and cyclic anodazition

http://www.outotec.com/34718.epibrw

Further Research

Gas mixtures of more than just

methane and hydrogen sulfide,
like actual natural gas

Optimized temperature and

pressure

Better manufacturing
techniques, particularly for large
scale production

Try a pilot-plant scale testing

http://www.sciencecodex.com/graphics/Nanofilte
r.jpg

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amine_gas_treating

http://www.chem.tamu.edu/class/majors/chem470/Synthesis_Gas.html

http://www.thefuelman.com/Documents/H2S_removal.pdf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_sulfide

Engineering of Nanomembranes for Emerging Applications by Dr.

Ducas Losic http://www.azonano.com/details.asp?ArticleId=2445

Simple and reliable technology for manufacturing metal-composite

nanomembranes with giant aspect ratio by Jovan Matovi a and Zoran
Jaki http://www.sciencedirect.com

Self-ordered nanopore and nanotube platforms for drug delivery

applications by Dusan Losic & Spomenka Simovic h
ttp://informahealthcare.com/doi/pdf/10.1517/17425240903300857?cook
ieSet=1