(400aj) Aromatic Polyimide Membranes for Hydrocarbon Separation in Refrigerant Recovery

The use of refrigerants is an essential aspect of modern life. The increasing demand for efficient and sustainable refrigerant recovery has driven research into energy-efficient separation technologies. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), such as pentafluoroethane (HFC-125), are widely used in refrigeration but pose environmental challenges due to their high global warming potential. In current systems, contamination with hydrocarbons such as propane and isobutane can complicate recycling efforts. One technique for separating refrigerant components is membrane technology. Various membranes have been tested for refrigerant separation; this study focuses on removing unwanted hydrocarbons from refrigerants. This study investigates Matrimid® 5218 membranes as a low-energy alternative for separating hydrocarbons from HFCs. Permeability and selectivity measurements were conducted to assess the membrane’s effectiveness in separating hydrocarbons from refrigerant components.