Novel CO2-Selective Membranes for Carbon Capture

This presentation covers novel carbon dioxide-selective membranes for carbon capture from: (1) hydrogen purification for fuel cells and (2) flue gas. We have synthesized CO2-selective membranes by incorporating amino groups into polymer networks. The membranes have shown high CO2 permeability and selectivity vs. hydrogen, carbon monoxide and nitrogen up to 180oC. We have elucidated the effect of amine steric hindrance in the solid membrane, showing significant enhancement for CO2 transport. Hydrogen sulfide permeates through the membrane much faster than CO2, allowing H2S removal in the treated synthesis gas before water-gas-shift (WGS) reaction. Our initial experiments have shown a nearly complete removal of H2S from 50 ppm in synthesis gas to about 10 ppb in the hydrogen product. Using the membrane, we have obtained