Mixed matrix membrane for separation of gases

• US 20030089228A1
• Filed: 10/22/2002
• Published: 05/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: UOP Llc (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: UOP Llc (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Kulprathipanja, Santi, Charoenphol, Jutima
• Granted Patent: US 6,726,744 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 95/45
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/228 characterised by specific membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 67/00793 Dispersing a component, e.g. as particles or powder, in another component
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 69/147 containing embedded adsorbents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 69/148 Organic/inorganic mixed matrix membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 71/021 Carbon
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 71/5211 Polyethylene glycol or polyethyleneoxide

Abstract

An improved mixed matrix membrane for the separation of gases comprises polyethylene glycol, silicone rubber and activated carbon on a porous support. The membrane preferably also comprises a carbonate such as potassium carbonate. The gases which may be separated by the membrane include mixtures of oxygen and nitrogen and mixtures of carbon dioxide and nitrogen. Membranes of this design may be used in processing natural gas or other gases.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a membrane which comprises the steps of mixing polyethylene glycol with potassium carbonate containing adsorbent particles to form a first mixture, mixing silicone rubber with a solvent to form a second mixture, blending the first and second mixtures to a third mixture, casting the third mixture onto a porous support and drying and curing the membrane.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said adsorbent particles are selected from the group consisting of activated carbon particles, zeolites, alumina, inorganic oxides and silica.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said adsorbent particles are activated carbon particles.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the solvent is cyclohexane.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the membrane contains from about 1 to 40 percent activated carbon.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said membrane further comprises a carbonate selected from the group consisting of organic and inorganic carbonates.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said carbonate is sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said porous support comprises polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyimide or cellulose acetate.

9. A multi-component membrane for the separation of gases, the membrane comprising a mixture of a plasticizer, silicone rubber and a particulate solid support for the polyethylene glycol on a porous support media.

10. The membrane of claim 9 wherein the solid support for the polyethylene glycol is chosen from the group consisting of alumina, silica, zeolites and activated carbon.

11. The membrane of claim 9 wherein the solid support for the polyethylene glycol is activated carbon.

12. The membrane of claim 11 wherein said plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, propylene glycol and polypropylene glycol.

13. The membrane of claim 12 wherein said plasticizer is polyethylene glycol.

14. The membrane of claim 9 wherein the membrane further comprises a carbonate selected from the group consisting of at least on inorganic carbonate, organic carbonate and mixtures thereof.

15. The membrane of claim 14 wherein said carbonate comprises potassium carbonate or sodium carbonate.

16. A multi-component membrane for the separation of gases, wherein said membrane comprises a mixture of polyethylene glycol, silicone rubber and activated carbon on a porous support media.

17. The membrane of claim 16 wherein said membrane further comprises potassium carbonate.

18. A process for separating a gas mixture comprising contacting a pressurized gas mixture with the membrane of claim 16 at separation promoting conditions.

19. The process of claim 18 wherein said gas mixture comprises at least two gases from the group consisting of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen and oxygen.