Biogas upgrading with novel cellulose nano-crystals and polyvinyl amine nanocomposite membranes. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saeed, Uzair; Jahan, Zaib; Niazi, Muhammad Bilal Khan; Pervaiz, Erum; Sher, Farooq
• Is Part Of: Polymer testing. Volume 91(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: Polyvinyl amine -- Cellulose nano-crystals -- Biogas upgrading -- Nanocomposite membranes -- Fixed site carrier membranes; Polymers -- Testing -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Tests -- Périodiques; 620.1920287
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymertesting.2020.106867
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0142-9418

Abstract

Abstract: A novel crystalline nano cellulose (CNC) and polyvinyl amine (PVAm) based nanocomposite membranes were synthesized and evaluated for biogas upgrading. Different concentrations of CNC was incorporated in 3 wt % PVAm solution on commercial polysulfone (PSf) sheet using dip coating method. The effect of feed pressure (5, 10 and 15 bar) was investigated for the CO2 /CH4 separation. The incorporation of CNC increased the crystallinity of membranes. The thickness of selective layer enhanced to 2.16 μm from 1.5 μm with increasing concentration of CNC. However, degree of swelling reduced from 75.88% to 68.93 with CNC concentration at 1.5 wt%. The best results were shown by PVAm membrane with 1 wt % CNC concentration i.e. CO2 permeance of 0.0216 m 3 (STP)/m 2 .bar.hr and selectivity (CO2 /CH4 ) of 41.The permeance decreased approximately 1.8 folds for PVAm/1CNC membrane with the increase in pressure from 5 to 15 bar. However, selectivity dropped from 41 to 39 for formulated membranes. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Incorporation of CNC increased the facilitated transport of CO2 . Increasing CNC concentration increased membrane thickness and crystallinity. Addition CNC does not affect the transportation of CH4 . Increasing feed pressure reduces membrane performance.