Pore Model Prediction of CH4 Separation from HS Using PTMSP and γ -Alumina Membranes

Authors: H. Mukhtar, N. M. Noor, R. Nasir, D. F. Mohshim

Abstract:

The main aim of this work is to develop a model of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) separation from natural gas by using membrane separation technology. The model is developed by incorporating three diffusion mechanisms which are Knudsen, viscous and surface diffusion towards membrane selectivity and permeability. The findings from the simulation result shows that the permeability of the gas is dependent toward the pore size of the membrane, operating pressure, operating temperature as well as feed composition. The permeability of methane has the highest value for Poly (1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne ) PTMSP membrane at pore size of 0.1nm and decreasing toward a minimum peak at pore range 1 to 1.5 nm as pore size increased before it increase again for pore size is greater than 1.5 nm. On the other hand, the permeability of hydrogen sulfide is found to increase almost proportionally with the increase of membrane pore size. Generally, the increase of pressure will increase the permeability of gas since more driving force is provided to the system while increasing of temperature would decrease the permeability due to the surface diffusion drop off effect. A corroboration of the simulation result also showed a good agreement with the experimental data.

Keywords: Hydrogen Sulfide, Methane, Inorganic Membrane, Organic Membrane, Pore Model

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1061208

References:

[1] Echterhoff L.W., R.L. McKee, "State of the art of natural gas processing technologies", Topical Report to the Gas Research Institute (Contract # GRI-91/0094), Task 3, vol. I, 1991.
[2] "Natural Gas - Formation and Composition of Natural Gas, History of the Discovery and Use of Natural Gas, Liquefied Natural Gas", in Science Encyclopedia - Volume 4: Net Industries, 2009.
[3] U. G. Limited, "Chemical Composition of Natural Gas", Union Gas Limited, 2009.
[4] Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala, Richard W. Baker, Karl D. Amo, "Sour Gas Treatment Process - Patent 5407467", 1996
[5] Kohl A, R. Nielson, "Gas Purification, 5th ed.", Gulf Publishing Company, Houstan, TX, 1997.
[6] Lieberman, N.P, "Troubleshooting Process Operations", 2nd edition,Pennwell Publishing,Tulsa,, 1985, pp. 64-81
[7] Bhide B.D., A. Voskericyan , S.A Stern, "A review of the applications of membrane separation technology in natural gas treatment", J. Membr. Sci.140, 1998, p.27-49.
[8] Z. F. Cui, H.S. Muralidhara, "Membrane Technology, A Practical Guide to Membrane Technology", pp01. Elsevier Ltd., 2010.
[9] Burggraaf A.J., L. Cot, "Fundamentals of Inorganic Membrane Science and Technology", Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1996.
[10] Baker, R.W., "Membrane Technology and Application", John, Wiley and Son Ltd, 2004.
[11] Anand, M., M. Langsam, M.B. Rao, S. Sircar, "Multicomponent gas separation by selective surface flow (SSF) and polytrimethylsilylpropyne (PTMSP) membranes", J. Membrane Sci. 123, 1997, p-17-25.
[12] Kuzniatsova, T., M.L. Mottern, K. Shqau, D. Yu, H. Verweij, "Microstructural optimization of supported ╬│-alumina membranes", J. Membrane Sci., 2007.
[13] Keizer, K., Uhlhorn, R.J.R., Van Varen, R.J. and Burggraaf, A.J., Gas "Separation Mechanism in Microporous Modified ╬│-Alumina Membrane", J. Membrane Sci., 39, 1998, p.285-300.
[14] Bird, R.B., Stewart, W.E. and Lightfoot, E.N. 1. Transport Phenomena, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 1960, p 559.
[15] Lee, K.H., Hwang S-T, "The transport of condensible vapors through a microporous Vycor glass membrane", J Colloid Interf. Sci., 1985, 110: 544-555
[16] Othman, M.R., "Kajian Pemisahan Gas Pada Membrane-Membrane Tak Organik Terubahsuai", Ph.D. Thesis, USM, Malaysia, 2001.
[17] J.D. Seader, Ernest J. Henley, "Separation Process Principles", John Wiley & Sons, 1998.
[18] W.R. Vieth,, "Diffusuion in and through polymers", Hanser, New York, 1991.
[19] K. Keizer, R.J.R. Uhlhorn, R.J. Van Vuren and A.J. Burggraaf, "Gas Separation Mechanisms In Microporous Modified g -Al2O3 Membranes", Journal of Membrane Science, 39, 1988, 285-300.
[20] S.A. Hashemifard, A.F. Ismail, T. Matsuura, Prediction of gas permeability in mixed matrix membranes using theoretical models, J. Membr. Sci. 347 (2010) 53-61.