mixed matrix membrane with improved contact area and
subsequently high permeance and selectivity. The use of
membrane technology for natural gas processing should be
further researched and focused to develop a simple process
with low energy requirements.
5 Conclusions and Future Directions
This chapter attempted to address the main challenges of
membrane technology encountered during the natural gas
sweetening processes. Nowadays, the membrane separation
technology has a vital role in the industries due to environmental and economic driving forces. Among impurities,
the removal of acid gas CO 2 from the raw natural gas is
more crucial due to its corrosive nature. The aim is to
improve the heating value, reduce corrosion of the equipment, and decrease the hazards for human health. Membrane gas separation method is the most economical,
simple, and environmentally friendly process. Deficiencies
in both the polymeric and inorganic membranes have suggested the need for the development of novel mixed matrix
membrane with superior gas separation performance. In
addition, it may offer better thermal, chemical, and
mechanical properties for aggressive and harsh conditions.
It is further suggested that the future research must be
focused on the development of new membrane materials
that overcome the current challenges. Earlier work has
shown that a huge potential exists for the improvement of
membrane technology for natural gas processing. Further in
the long term, the hybrid processes for natural gas purification process are more effective and advantageous, where
it could be combined with other traditional techniques. This
collective performance can reduce the operational cost of
the process. The potential of the hybrid processes over the
single process needs to be fully explored by considering all
thermodynamic, kinetic, and modeling parameters. In view
of the current situation, mixed membranes (MMMs) are
considered the most practical alternative approach for
commercial application. It is highly desirable to produce a
cost-effective membrane that should operate at high temperature and pressure conditions. Furthermore, the membrane plasticization and long-term operation capacity will
be other challenges and typical future research directions.
Moreover, the modeling of the membrane processes for
high performance can be recommended for further research
direction.
References
Adams, R., Carson, C., Ward, J., Tannenbaum, R., & Koros, W.
(2010). Metal organic framework mixed matrix membranes for gas
separations. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 131(1–3),
13–20.
Adewole, J. K., Ahmad, A. L., Ismail, S., & Leo, C. P. (2013). Current
challenges in membrane separation of CO 2 from natural gas: A
review. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 17, 46–65.
Ahn, J, Chung, W. J., Pinnau, I., & Song, J. (2010). Gas transport
behavior of mixed-matrix membranes composed of silica nanoparticles in a polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1). Journal of
Membrane Science, 346, 280–287.
Anja, Stropnik, C., & Peinemann, K. V. (2006). Hybrid membrane
materials with different metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for gas
separation. Desalination, 200(1-3), 424–426.
Aroon, M. A., Ismail, A. F., Matsuura, T., & Montazer-Rahmati, M. M.
(2010). Performance studies of mixed matrix membranes for gas
separation: A review. Separation and Purification Technology, 75
(3), 229–242.
Askari, M., & Chung, T.-S. (2013). Natural gas purification and
olefin/paraffin
separation
using
thermal
cross-linkable
co-polyimide/ZIF-8 mixed matrix membranes. Journal of Membrane Science, 444, 173–183.
Bae, T. H. (2010). A high-performance gas-separation membrane
containing submicrometer-sized metal-organic framework crystals.
Angewandte Chemie - International Edition, 49(51), 9863–9866.
Baker, R. W., & Lokhandwala, K. (2008). Natural gas processing with
membranes: An overview. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry
Research, 47(7), 2109–2121.
Banerjee, R., Phan, A., Wang, B., Knobler, C., Furukawa, H.,
O’Keeffe, M., & Yaghi, O. M. (2008). High-throughput synthesis
of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks and application to CO 2 capture.
Science, 319(5865), 939–943.
Bao, Z., Yu, L., Ren, Q., Lu, X., & Deng, S. (2011). Adsorption of CO 2
and CH 4 on a magnesium-based metal organic framework. Journal
of Colloid and Interface Science, 353(2), 549–556.
Basu, S., Cano-Odena, A., & Vankelecom, I. F. J. (2011).
MOF-containing mixed-matrix membranes for CO 2 /CH 4 and CO 2 /
N 2 binary gas mixture separations. Separation and Purification
Technology, 81, 31–40.
Bhuwania, N., Labreche, Y., & Achoundong, C. S. K. (2014).
Engineering substructure morphology of asymmetric carbon molecular sieve hollow fiber membranes. Carbon, 76, 417–434.
Bos, A., Pünt, I. G. M., Wessling, M., & Strathmann, H. (1999). CO 2 -
induced plasticization phenomena in glassy polymers. Journal of
Membrane Science, 155(1), 67–78.
Centeno, T. A., & Fuertes, A. B. (1999). Supported carbon molecular
sieve membranes based on a phenolic resin. Journal of Membrane
Science, 160(2), 201–211.
Chaidou, C. I., Pantoleontos, G., Koutsonikolas, D. E., Kaldis, S. P., &
Sakellaropoulos, G. P. (2012). Gas separation properties of
polyimide-zeolite mixed matrix membranes. Separation Science
and Technology, 47(7), 950–962.
Chan, S. S., Chung, T.-S., Liu, Y., & Wang, R. (2003). Gas and
hydrocarbon (C2 and C3) transport properties of co-polyimides
synthesized from 6FDA and 1, 5-NDA (naphthalene)/durene
diamines. Journal of Membrane Science 218(1), 235–245.
High Performance Membrane for Natural Gas Sweetening Plants
69
subsequently high permeance and selectivity. The use of
membrane technology for natural gas processing should be
further researched and focused to develop a simple process
with low energy requirements.
5 Conclusions and Future Directions
This chapter attempted to address the main challenges of
membrane technology encountered during the natural gas
sweetening processes. Nowadays, the membrane separation
technology has a vital role in the industries due to environmental and economic driving forces. Among impurities,
the removal of acid gas CO 2 from the raw natural gas is
more crucial due to its corrosive nature. The aim is to
improve the heating value, reduce corrosion of the equipment, and decrease the hazards for human health. Membrane gas separation method is the most economical,
simple, and environmentally friendly process. Deficiencies
in both the polymeric and inorganic membranes have suggested the need for the development of novel mixed matrix
membrane with superior gas separation performance. In
addition, it may offer better thermal, chemical, and
mechanical properties for aggressive and harsh conditions.
It is further suggested that the future research must be
focused on the development of new membrane materials
that overcome the current challenges. Earlier work has
shown that a huge potential exists for the improvement of
membrane technology for natural gas processing. Further in
the long term, the hybrid processes for natural gas purification process are more effective and advantageous, where
it could be combined with other traditional techniques. This
collective performance can reduce the operational cost of
the process. The potential of the hybrid processes over the
single process needs to be fully explored by considering all
thermodynamic, kinetic, and modeling parameters. In view
of the current situation, mixed membranes (MMMs) are
considered the most practical alternative approach for
commercial application. It is highly desirable to produce a
cost-effective membrane that should operate at high temperature and pressure conditions. Furthermore, the membrane plasticization and long-term operation capacity will
be other challenges and typical future research directions.
Moreover, the modeling of the membrane processes for
high performance can be recommended for further research
direction.
References
Adams, R., Carson, C., Ward, J., Tannenbaum, R., & Koros, W.
(2010). Metal organic framework mixed matrix membranes for gas
separations. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 131(1–3),
13–20.
Adewole, J. K., Ahmad, A. L., Ismail, S., & Leo, C. P. (2013). Current
challenges in membrane separation of CO 2 from natural gas: A
review. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 17, 46–65.
Ahn, J, Chung, W. J., Pinnau, I., & Song, J. (2010). Gas transport
behavior of mixed-matrix membranes composed of silica nanoparticles in a polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1). Journal of
Membrane Science, 346, 280–287.
Anja, Stropnik, C., & Peinemann, K. V. (2006). Hybrid membrane
materials with different metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for gas
separation. Desalination, 200(1-3), 424–426.
Aroon, M. A., Ismail, A. F., Matsuura, T., & Montazer-Rahmati, M. M.
(2010). Performance studies of mixed matrix membranes for gas
separation: A review. Separation and Purification Technology, 75
(3), 229–242.
Askari, M., & Chung, T.-S. (2013). Natural gas purification and
olefin/paraffin
separation
using
thermal
cross-linkable
co-polyimide/ZIF-8 mixed matrix membranes. Journal of Membrane Science, 444, 173–183.
Bae, T. H. (2010). A high-performance gas-separation membrane
containing submicrometer-sized metal-organic framework crystals.
Angewandte Chemie - International Edition, 49(51), 9863–9866.
Baker, R. W., & Lokhandwala, K. (2008). Natural gas processing with
membranes: An overview. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry
Research, 47(7), 2109–2121.
Banerjee, R., Phan, A., Wang, B., Knobler, C., Furukawa, H.,
O’Keeffe, M., & Yaghi, O. M. (2008). High-throughput synthesis
of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks and application to CO 2 capture.
Science, 319(5865), 939–943.
Bao, Z., Yu, L., Ren, Q., Lu, X., & Deng, S. (2011). Adsorption of CO 2
and CH 4 on a magnesium-based metal organic framework. Journal
of Colloid and Interface Science, 353(2), 549–556.
Basu, S., Cano-Odena, A., & Vankelecom, I. F. J. (2011).
MOF-containing mixed-matrix membranes for CO 2 /CH 4 and CO 2 /
N 2 binary gas mixture separations. Separation and Purification
Technology, 81, 31–40.
Bhuwania, N., Labreche, Y., & Achoundong, C. S. K. (2014).
Engineering substructure morphology of asymmetric carbon molecular sieve hollow fiber membranes. Carbon, 76, 417–434.
Bos, A., Pünt, I. G. M., Wessling, M., & Strathmann, H. (1999). CO 2 -
induced plasticization phenomena in glassy polymers. Journal of
Membrane Science, 155(1), 67–78.
Centeno, T. A., & Fuertes, A. B. (1999). Supported carbon molecular
sieve membranes based on a phenolic resin. Journal of Membrane
Science, 160(2), 201–211.
Chaidou, C. I., Pantoleontos, G., Koutsonikolas, D. E., Kaldis, S. P., &
Sakellaropoulos, G. P. (2012). Gas separation properties of
polyimide-zeolite mixed matrix membranes. Separation Science
and Technology, 47(7), 950–962.
Chan, S. S., Chung, T.-S., Liu, Y., & Wang, R. (2003). Gas and
hydrocarbon (C2 and C3) transport properties of co-polyimides
synthesized from 6FDA and 1, 5-NDA (naphthalene)/durene
diamines. Journal of Membrane Science 218(1), 235–245.
High Performance Membrane for Natural Gas Sweetening Plants
69