Project
Development of thin film polymer membranes for gas separations pertaining to Biogas Purification and Olefin/Paraffin separations.
This doctoral research project focuses on the development of thin film polymer membranes for gas separation applications, particularly in the purification of feed streams from Biogas refineries to provide usable Methane fuel, and the feed streams from Crude Oil cracking, containing important fractions of light Olefins. The project will focus on optimizing various pure polymers and mixed matrix membranes for Carbon Dioxide-Methane, Ethylene-Ethane and Propylene-Propane mixed gas streams, with heavy focus on membrane efficiency under the influence of real feed conditions of high temperature, high pressure, and humidity. Additionally, durability studies will be conducted on various membranes under the exposure of real stream impurities, such as Hydrogen Sulfide, Benzene, Toluene, Xylene, other Higher-order hydrocarbons and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC).