Mullite-Supported SAPO-34 Membranes for CO2/CH4 Separation

In this research, SAPO-34 membranes for CO2 separation have been synthesized via secondary growth method on mullite support for the first time. The ceramic supports wereprepared during calcination of kaolin clay, followed by a leaching post-treatment. Experiments were carried out at three levels of synthesistemperature: 185, 195 and 220 C. Single gas permeation properties of SAPO-34 membranes were studied and effect of synthesis temperature on CO2 and CH4 permeances and CO2/CH4 ideal separation selectivity were observed. All the gas separation experiments were conducted attwo levels of feed pressure:1 and 6 bar. The pure gas ideal separation factor for the synthesized membranes varied from from 5.78 at 185 C to 17.39 at 220C.