Nearly four decades ago a fledgling industry emerged that specializes in developing advanced methods of separating the individual components of gases. Today, those efforts have become an important factor in driving production costs lower by using less energy, and eliminating some types of environmental pollution. Early experiments in diffusion led to practical industrial applications today, and gas separation membrane technology is rapidly expanding.
The process is already being used to remove nitrogen from the air, to separate carbon dioxide and water vapor during the refinement of natural gas, and to separate hydrogen in ammonia production facilities and petrochemical plants. In the past, various types of filters have been used to separate the individual components of water and other liquids, and similar principles also apply today to filtering industrial gases.
The newer processes have become especially significant within the petrochemical industry, and are now cost-competitive with other methods. Extracting various valuable components from natural gas has been historically expensive, but can now be removed quickly and efficiently without incurring extra costs. The associated equipment is relatively simple to use, and is considered low-maintenance. Related sales are in the multi-miillion dollar range.
The key to efficient and successful operation is the membrane itself. Construction materials may vary, but all form a specific type of barrier that only allows certain types of molecules to pass through. These devices in general allow gases, vapors and liquids to be separated at varying speeds, completely blocking out some of the components. Some are slowed down considerably, while others are unable to gain access.
The most common materials used in membrane separation of gases are polymers, which can be transformed into into fibers that are hollow and have a relatively large surface area. They are made from currently existing materials using available technology, and the cost of manufacturing is comparatively low. The technology is now suitable for large scale industrial production of various types.
In many cases this process can operate on a continuous basis using a gas mixture that streams under pressure. The substances are forced to pass by or through a membrane, allowing specific molecules to exit the other side, and preventing some from gaining access. Those blocked from crossing can also be collected and stored, and the efficiency of the process is directly related to filtering properties.
The most attractive advantage associated with this process is the removal of a major step in production that is characteristic of more established technologies, which include cryogenic distillation of air, amine absorption, or basic condensation. The older processes all include a phase where gas converts to liquid, a step that necessarily uses more energy and is costlier. Membranes eliminate that effort at significant cost savings.
The petrochemical industry must continuously strive for better ways to make products by efficient processing of raw materials. The future of this field is limited only by the availability of resources, and continuous expansion is predicted. These methods are being currently applied to projected growth areas such as the removal of propylene from propane, or separating hydrogen from methane.
The process is already being used to remove nitrogen from the air, to separate carbon dioxide and water vapor during the refinement of natural gas, and to separate hydrogen in ammonia production facilities and petrochemical plants. In the past, various types of filters have been used to separate the individual components of water and other liquids, and similar principles also apply today to filtering industrial gases.
The newer processes have become especially significant within the petrochemical industry, and are now cost-competitive with other methods. Extracting various valuable components from natural gas has been historically expensive, but can now be removed quickly and efficiently without incurring extra costs. The associated equipment is relatively simple to use, and is considered low-maintenance. Related sales are in the multi-miillion dollar range.
The key to efficient and successful operation is the membrane itself. Construction materials may vary, but all form a specific type of barrier that only allows certain types of molecules to pass through. These devices in general allow gases, vapors and liquids to be separated at varying speeds, completely blocking out some of the components. Some are slowed down considerably, while others are unable to gain access.
The most common materials used in membrane separation of gases are polymers, which can be transformed into into fibers that are hollow and have a relatively large surface area. They are made from currently existing materials using available technology, and the cost of manufacturing is comparatively low. The technology is now suitable for large scale industrial production of various types.
In many cases this process can operate on a continuous basis using a gas mixture that streams under pressure. The substances are forced to pass by or through a membrane, allowing specific molecules to exit the other side, and preventing some from gaining access. Those blocked from crossing can also be collected and stored, and the efficiency of the process is directly related to filtering properties.
The most attractive advantage associated with this process is the removal of a major step in production that is characteristic of more established technologies, which include cryogenic distillation of air, amine absorption, or basic condensation. The older processes all include a phase where gas converts to liquid, a step that necessarily uses more energy and is costlier. Membranes eliminate that effort at significant cost savings.
The petrochemical industry must continuously strive for better ways to make products by efficient processing of raw materials. The future of this field is limited only by the availability of resources, and continuous expansion is predicted. These methods are being currently applied to projected growth areas such as the removal of propylene from propane, or separating hydrogen from methane.
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