The performance of carbon membranes in the presence of condensable and non-condensable impurities

Abstract

To fully assess the suitability of nanoporous carbon (NPC) membranes for industrial applications such as carbon capture, it is necessary to understand the impact of impurities commonly present in the feed streams upon the membrane performance. In this work, the effect on the performance of a NPC membrane upon exposure to condensable impurities typically found in natural gas (e.g. water, hexane and toluene) and non-condensable impurities typically found in synthesis gas (e.g. H2S and CO) has been determined in laboratory experiments. Small reductions in the permeance (less than 30%) and minimal reductions in selectivity have been observed, with the greatest impact at 35°C and less impact at 1..