Separation of CO2/CH4 using Mixed Matrix Membranes

Abstract

Polyamide 6 is a very tough polymer having high tensile strength. It is also highly resistant to chemicals which makes it very good candidate for gas separation. In this research CO2/CH4 gas permeation behavior was observed for flat sheet polymeric membrane. The membranes were formed by solution casting method. Multi walled Carbon nanotubes were subsequently added to observe the permeability of CO2 relative to CH4. The morphology of Mixed Matrix membranes (MMM) were observed through Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). However, MMM were further characterized by Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Universal Tensile Testing machine (UTM). Carbon nanotubes were homogeneously dispersed in Nylon 6 polymer. The permeation experiments were performed to find the permeation behavior of both gases in pure polymeric membrane and MMM membrane. Experiments demonstrated very high permeability and at low pressure for polymeric membranes. The membranes however showed insignificant selectivity. Keywords: cellulose acetate, multi walled CNT, carbon dioxide, methane