The Need

Natural gas and other carbonaceous feedstocks including coal and biomass are the main sources of energy and have been used to produce reformed gas, synthesis gas (syngas), which comprises hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide. The syngas, consisting of carbon monoxide, can also be mixed with steam to produce more hydrogen and carbon dioxide during the water-gas-shift (WGS) reaction step. Removal of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide is needed in order to produce high-purity hydrogen for use in fuel cells and petrochemical processes. Removal of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide is also needed for purification of natural gas. As usage of hydrogen and natural gas is increasing, the need for their purification is also increasing. In addition, CO2 capture including from flue gas in power plants is also needed for its sequestration and use in enhanced oil recovery.

The Technology

Researchers at The Ohio State University, led by Dr. H.S. Winston Ho, have developed a spiral-wound membrane module for improving the quality and the efficiency of gas separation. The technology is a spiral-wound membrane module comprising face compression “O” rings for effective seal for gas separations. The membrane module is useful for gas separations including CO2 capture from flue gas in power plants and the removal of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide from synthesis gas, H2-containing mixtures, and CH4-containing mixtures.

Commercial Applications

• Power Plant Gas Separations
• Hydrogen Fuel Cells
• Natural Gas Purification

Benefits/Advantages

• Compared to the existing commercial separation processes for the removal of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide including the purification of hydrogen, syngas and natural gas such as absorption, adsorption and cryogenic distillation, a membrane process has the advantages of energy efficiency, compact spacing, simple operation and maintenance, and low capital cost. A membrane process has the same advantages for CO2 capture.