The pivot of the membrane technology is the membrane responsible for the gas separation process. The modern gas separation membrane no longer represents a flat plate or film, but is shaped as hollow fibers.
Membrane separation technologies currently use a hollow-fiber membrane consisting of porous polymer fibers coated with a separation layer. A porous fiber has a complex asymmetric structure, with the polymer density increasing towards the fiber external surface. The application of porous support layers with asymmetric structure allows separating gases under high pressures (up to 6.5 MPa). The thickness of the fiber gas separation layer does not exceed 0.1 µ, ensuring a high relative permeability of gases across the polymer membrane. The existing level of the technological development makes possible the production of polymers with a high selectivity for various gases, and, consequently, capable of deliveringhigh-purity gaseous products. A modern membrane module used for the membrane gas separation technology comprises a removable membrane cartridge and a body. The density of fibers packaging in the cartridge is estimated at some 500–700 square meters per the cartridge cubic meter, which helps to minimize the dimensions of gas separation plants.
Schematic Drawing of Gas Separation Cartridge
The module body has one inlet pipe for feed gas mixture intake, and two outlet pipes for delivery of separated components.
The membrane technology based gas mixture separation utilizes the difference in partial pressures on the external and internal surfaces of a hollow-fiber membrane. Highly permeating gases (e.g. H2, CO2, O2, water vapors, higher hydrocarbons) penetrate the fibers and exit the membrane cartridge through one of the pipes. Less permeating gases (e.g. CO, N2, CH4) exit the membrane modules through the other outlet pipe.
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Gas Penetration Rate through Membrane Material
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Fast gases
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Slow gases
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H2O
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He
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H2
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NH3
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CO2
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O2
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CO
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Ar
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N2
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CH4
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C2H6
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C3H8
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In-House Membrane Production.
The First Russia’s Gas Separation Membrane Cartridges Plant
In Dubna (Moscow region) R&P Co.Grasys has launched the first in Russia and the CIS highly sophisticated production of hollow fiber gas separation membranes and membrane cartridges that are widely used in various industries, including oil and gas, metallurgy, food and many others.
This is one-of-a-kind research and production facility located within Technology innovation SEZ (special economic zone) Dubna. One of the strategically significant trends includes manufacture of membrane cartridges for hydrocarbon gases separation and specifically for helium concentrate recovery.
Grasys membrane cartridges are used for helium content reduction or concentration, carbon dioxide in natural gas, as well as to dry natural gas, to lower hydrogen sulfide content and to concentrate hydrogen in challenges of HSG processing.
The use of membranes for the purpose of helium recovery from natural gas will significantly reduce power consumption for gas treatment during production, processing and transportation. Gas and oil producing companies will be able to sell the recovered by this technology helium as a separate product.
Among those included in the first gas separation membrane customers are companies engaged in producing hydrocarbons at the fields in Eastern Siberia and the Far East. More specifically, through the use of such membranes Gazprom recovers helium at the Chayandinskoye oil and gas condensate field in Yakutia, which is the resource base of the Power of Siberia gas pipeline, for further supply to the Amur gas processing plant.
This project is implemented as part of agreement signed with the Ministry of Investments and Innovations of the Moscow Region and JSC Technology Innovative SEZ Dubna, with the Industrial Development Fund patronage.
