PNNL

Abstract

Herein we demonstrate that AlPO-18 membranes can separate N2/CH4 gas mixtures at unprecedented N2 permeances. The best membranes separated N2/CH4 mixtures with N2 permeances as high as 3076 GPU and separation selectivities as high as 4.6. Gas mixture separation data, N2 and CH4 adsorption isotherms, ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST), and breakthrough experiments were collected to understand the separation mechanisms. Competitive adsorption and differences in diffusivities were identified as the prevailing separation mechanisms. Differences in diffusivity played a more dominant role than the competitive adsorption, and led to nitrogen selective membranes.