Performance Evaluation of Hollow Fiber Membrane for Carbon Dioxide Separation: An Experimental Approach

This report outlines the background of the project "Perfonnance Evaluation of Hollow
Fiber Membrane for Carbon Dioxide Separation: An Experimental Approach". Due to
the fact that carbon dioxide ( C02) is present in all natural gas sources worldwide, there
is much attention placed on the efficiency in separating C02 from natural gas. Recent
developments have discovered the benefits of utilizing membrane for this purpose.
The scope of this study is on the performance of hollow fiber in removing carbon
dioxide with respect to the variations in pressure, composition, feed gas flow and
membrane area or better represented as number of hollow fibers used in a membrane
module. The procedures are conducted in the Research Centre for Carbon Dioxide
Capture (RCC02C) with the Carbon Dioxide Separation Membrane Unit (COzSMU).
The perfonnance is evaluated based on experimental approach and the results are to be
analyzed and discussed with reference to previous works as well as separation theories
and principles.
In the first chapter, a general introduction is given on the separation techniques available
in the current market which is followed by the problem statement on the drawbacks of
the conventional separation techniques, of which supports the use of membrane for C02
capture. Next, the objectives and the scope of this study are defined.
In the following chapter, literature review is conducted to find out on membrane
separation technology including general principles, key characteristics of membrane, its
classifications, separation theories and principles, as well as the benefits of membrane
for separation processes.
In Chapter 3, the general approach on the conduct of this study is illustrated, which
generally summarizes the scope of work for this project. Also, the experimental
procedures are illustrated in a detailed manner to ensure that the steps are that required
to obtain satisfacatory results. Besides, all the chemicals required are also listed while
each the equipments in the setup are defined for its function and purpose.
Next, reports on the findings of the experiments are illustrated. The experimental
parameters conducted in the study includes pressure, feed composition, feed gas flow as
well as membrane area. It was found that the stage cut and the selectivity of the
membrane increases with pressure and feed composition while these two parameters
shows a decrease when the feed gas flow rate is increased. Generally, the number of
fibers used does not affect the selectivity of the membrane but the stage cut of the
membrane is largely increased when the number of fibers used is increased. In terms of
permeance, it was found that the gas permeance increases with increasing feed
composition, feed gas flow rate as well as number of fibers or membrane area but
decreases with increasing feed pressure.
Last but not least, the conclusion of this report summarizes the document as a whole
together with the obtained results of this experimental work, in terms of the focus of this
study, which is the effect of pressure, feed gas flow, COz composition, and unmber of
fibers in a module on the performance of the hollow fiber membrane.