last update: August 01, 2000
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STC-ERSP Program Details Principal Investigator: Shamsuddin Ilias Project Title: Separation and recovery of SCF CO2 using microporous UF/NF membranes (#13) Phone/Fax: (336) 334-7564 ext. 54 / (336) 334-7904 E-mail: ilias@ncat.edu Research Plan Connectivity Outreach Components Additional Comments Requested Budget Allocation - Year 1 Plans for Additional Funding Research Plan Overall objectives Separation and recovery of SCF CO2 in the application of CO2 as processing solvent in extraction and chemical & biochemical reactions is an important issue. Membrane-based separation may provide an option in recovering CO2 in SCF phase without expensive recompression. We propose to investigate the potential application of microporous ceramic and organic membranes in crossflow configuration (as ultrafiltration - UF, and Nano-filtration -NF) to separate and recover SCF CO2 from processing fluid without phase change. In the early phase of the work, we plan to use grease as a model solute (non-polar) in SCF CO2 to study the effect of concentration polarization and fouling on trans-membrane fluxes in UF and NF operations. We envision in our future work to use the membrane module as a reactor-separator or extractor-separator for simultaneous recovery and separation of SCF CO2 from process streams. Relation to overall objectives of the Center For CO2 to be used as an environmentally responsible solvent in industrial processes will require recycling of CO2 to prevent emissions into the atmosphere. Particularly, SCF CO2 once depressurized for solute or product recovery, recompression of CO2 becomes an energy-intensive process. In this context, membrane-based separation may be considered as one of promising option for separation and recovery of CO2 without recompression step. In all practical applications involving SCF CO2 (either in extraction or in chemical processing), CO2 recovery is a critical issue and our proposed membrane-based separation may fit very well in the overall objectives of the NSF S&T Center. Approach and Year 1-Year 5 timelines Years 1-2: Design and build a UF/NF experimental rig to test ceramic and polymeric membranes for SCF CO2 separation and recovery from process streams. For SCF CO2-grease system, we will use UV spectrophotometer to analyze stream compositions via capillary micro-flow cells. Year 2-3: Test various membrane materials for UF/NF applications and evaluate their performance in terms of membrane selectivity (for solution-diffusion type membranes), permeability and productivity (flux). Year 3-5: Extend the membrane module to use as a membrane reactor-separator to study some suitable enzymatic reaction in SCF CO2. Thrust area of this proposal Thrust Area C: Rate Processes - Novel Separations. Connectivity Collaborators, multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary components Membrane-based separations group (Ilias at A&T, Koros at UT Austin and Freeman at NCSU) will collaborate in their work to find applications of organic and inorganic membranes for SCF CO2 separations. Although the Investigators will be working on three different class of membranes (Ilias - ceramic and organic membranes for UF/NF applications; Freeman - super glassy membranes like Teflon AF and polytrimethyl silyl propyne; and Koros - crosslinked polyimides), the major link is that we need to find suitable membrane materials that can be used for this application. There have been hardly any references in the literature on the applications of membranes in SCF environment. This is a task we intend to explore exhaustively. Within the NSF Center umbrella, Chemistry and Catalysis Group will find application of membranes in developing processing technologies with SCF CO2 as solvent. Related work in other thrust areas The researchers in Thrust Area D (Chemistry and Catalysis) will be developing chemical and biochemical reaction pathways using SCF CO2 and liquid CO2. Separation of product and recovery of CO2 without venting it to the environment would be a critical issue. Our work on separation would be supportive to works contemplated in Thrust Area D. Sharing of resources (students, supplies, equipment, etc.) The students working on this project will be sharing results with other groups involved in membrane-based separations. This will allow feedback from peers and help in focusing research in the right direction to meet program objectives. The students will be working closely with PI outlined above. We will use SCF CO2 from a common delivery system as we have planned for A&T. Outreach Components Suggested K-12 Outreach Ideas Ilias and his co-workers funded through this project would be available in teacher workshops to talk on topics like membrane-based separations, which may include "Why and how membrane works in gas and liquid separations?" Also Ilias' group will be available for high school visitations to talk to students on research opportunities in this SCF CO2 field. Additional Comments Please contact me (Ilias) if others are interested in this work or have any suggestions for the proposed work. Requested Budget Allocation - Year 1 Personnel salaries
Plans for Additional Funding Funding agencies/programs and planned dates of submission: There is no immediate plan to submit proposal in this area but would develop proposal(s) as project progresses in the area of membrane-reactor-separator using SCF CO2 as processing fluid. Return to top. |
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