Around 35 years ago a new industry was born that has developed advanced ways to separate the components of gases. The process is becoming increasingly important as a way to save production costs while producing less environmental pollution, and is still in its infancy. What began as experiments in diffusion has led to the emergence of processes being widely used today, and gas separation membrane technology is developing rapidly.
The primary impact is in hydrogen separation in petrochemical plants or ammonia production facilities, in removing nitrogen from air, separating water vapor and carbon dioxide from natural gas during refining, and the removal of organic vapor from air or other gas mixtures. Various types of filters have separated liquid components successfully, and the same general filtering principles are being applied to 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 advantage of using this method is the removal of a major production step that must be taken when using older technologies, such as condensation, cryogenic distillation of air, or amine absorption. All those methods require a gas-to-liquid phase change, and that extra requirement generates significant costs. The use of membranes eliminates that portion of the process, and reduces production expenses over time.
Because the petrochemical industry must continuously find new ways to produce fuels and other products in a way that makes the best use of existing raw materials, the future of this type of technology is open-ended. New applications can be applied to growth areas such as the removal of hydrocarbons from hydrogen or methane, or propylene from propane. Expansion in the next two decades promises to be continuous.
The primary impact is in hydrogen separation in petrochemical plants or ammonia production facilities, in removing nitrogen from air, separating water vapor and carbon dioxide from natural gas during refining, and the removal of organic vapor from air or other gas mixtures. Various types of filters have separated liquid components successfully, and the same general filtering principles are being applied to 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 advantage of using this method is the removal of a major production step that must be taken when using older technologies, such as condensation, cryogenic distillation of air, or amine absorption. All those methods require a gas-to-liquid phase change, and that extra requirement generates significant costs. The use of membranes eliminates that portion of the process, and reduces production expenses over time.
Because the petrochemical industry must continuously find new ways to produce fuels and other products in a way that makes the best use of existing raw materials, the future of this type of technology is open-ended. New applications can be applied to growth areas such as the removal of hydrocarbons from hydrogen or methane, or propylene from propane. Expansion in the next two decades promises to be continuous.
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