Carbon Dioxide Separation using Hybrid Process Equipped with Hollow Fiber Membrane Contactor

Abstract

As an alternative technology for CO₂ recovery from the flue gas, membrane contactor-stripper hybrid process was studied. Porous polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE), polyvinylidenefluoride(PVDF) and polypropylene(PP) hollow fiber modules were used as membrane contactors and their performance was compared with a conventional packed column. The CO₂ was removed by the hollow fiber membrane contactor using monoethanolamine (MEA) solution as the absorbent. PVDF module with asymmetric pore structure showed the most stable gas-liquid interface and the highest removal efficiency among the three different hollow fiber membrane modules used. Mass transfer resistance model for the CO₂ absorption across the hollow fiber membrane was proposed and analyzed. In application of large-scale hollow fiber membrane contactor, the hybrid process was successfully operated and recovered CO₂ with a lower cost.