Study on PDMS-modified STT zeolite membranes for helium extraction from natural gas
Author of the article:XIONG Yingjie1, DAI Yong2,3, LI Yingke1, WANG Xuerui2,3, SHA Mo4, YANG Miao1
Author's Workplace:1. CPECC Southwest Company, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China; 2. College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211816, China; 3. State Key Laboratory of MaterialsOriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211816, China; 4. China Petroleum Technology Development Co., Ltd., Beijing, 100028, China
Key Words:STT zeolite membranes; Helium extraction; Defect modification; Gas separation
Abstract:
Helium(He) is a scarce and strategic resource, and its
source is mainly dependent on heliumcontaining
natural gas. The helium content of natural gas in China is extremely low,
making it challenging and costly to extract. Membrane gas separation is an
efficient extraction method. STT(Standard Oil Synthetic Zeolite-twenty-three) zeolite
membranes perform well in He/CH4 separation due to their unique pore structure.
However, intercrystalline defects are easily formed during hydrothermal
synthesis and template removal, leading to a low selectivity of STT zeolite
membrane at high pressure. Hence, these STT zeolite membranes cannot be
directly used for helium extraction from natural gas. In order to mitigate
these intercrystalline defects, a method by coating PDMS(polydimethylsiloxane)
was proposed. The operating parameters such as PDMS content and curing
temperature on the repair of intercrystalline defects were welloptimized to improve the He/CH4 selectivity. The
PDMSmodified STT zeolite
membranes were used to simulate helium extraction from the heliumdepleted natural gas containing 0.075% He. At the
feed pressure of 5.2 MPa, the He/CH4 selectivity reached 166. In this case, the
helium was enriched by 82fold and
the helium recovery was 55%. The PDMSmodified
STT zeolite membranes effectively eliminated the intercrystalline defects and enhanced
the He/CH4 high pressure separation performance, showing the application
prospects of modified STT zeolite membrane in helium extraction from heliumdepleted natural gas.