Black Swan "Wig" Membrane Has Lowest Cost Oxygen Production from Air By Using No Pressurization

The patent pending Black Swan, LLC “Wig" Membranes and Membrane Air Enrichment (MAE) Process have several distinct advantages over other membranes and methods of producing enriched (concentrations above 20.9%) oxygen from air, including highly enriched (90%+) oxygen. The membrane has a novel configuration that utilizes conventional hollow fiber membranes having a 40+ year history. The configuration of the membrane reduces manufacturing cost by almost 1/3, reduces power consumption by 1/3, and increases performance of the membrane by 20%. The MAE process allows for applications for oxygen enrichment at low levels if needed in moderate oxygen enrichment services (under 50%) in a single stage system, as well as more severe services with up to 95% + oxygen enrichment in three stage systems. For systems looking to produce capturable high concentrations (90%+) of CO2 in stack gas, say of boilers or power plants, the system can be “plug and play” or “drop in”, meaning no requirements to modify the burner or refractory of the fired system. Data from prototypes of two large hollow fiber membrane manufacturers will be presented, as well as pilot plant applications in refinery sulfur recovery units, sanitation aerations systems, and biogas power plants.