The effect of hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide and water on the performance of a PDMS membrane in carbon dioxide/nitrogen separation

Abstract

Rubbery polymeric membranes demonstrate potential in gas separation as they can be selective for carbon dioxide over less condensable gases such as hydrogen. In many industrial processes where these membranes are applicable, minor gas components such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and water are present. Here, the effect of these minor components on the performance of a polydimethyl siloxane rubbery membrane in CO2/N2 separation is experimentally determined. The permeability of CO2 through PDMS is reduced upon exposure to CO, H2S and water, due to competitive sorption of these gases into the polymeric matrix. Similar behavior is observed for N2; however the presence of H2S gives rise to..