2025 AIChE Annual Meeting

(507f) Sustainable Dehydration Solutions: High-Performance Membranes for Industrial Applications

Author

Lakshmeesha Upadhyaya - Presenter, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
Membrane technology is a prominent and creative solution for achieving substantial energy savings and promoting sustainability, particularly in dehydration processes. By selectively extracting water vapor from gas mixtures, membrane systems significantly improve process efficiency. As industries increasingly prioritize resource conservation and minimizing environmental impact, breakthroughs in membrane technology are essential to achieving these objectives and paving the way toward a sustainable future. Our cutting-edge approach utilizes proline amino acid-based ionic liquids encapsulated in advanced carbon capsules, skillfully dispersed within a Pebax®1657 matrix and seamlessly coated on polyetherimide hollow fibers. These filled capsules demonstrate remarkable sorption capacity for both water vapor and carbon dioxide (CO2), making them exceptionally suited for effective air dehumidification as well as flue gas, natural gas, and biogas dehydration applications. Our membranes exhibit outstanding water vapor permeance, reaching values of up to approximately 10,000 GPU, while maintaining an impressive H2O/N2 selectivity rate of around 124,000. We also achieved CO2/N2 selectivity levels as high as 100, along with encouraging outcomes for CH4 purification. Furthermore, our long-term studies have confirmed the effectiveness of alternative modules designed to prevent saturation of the encapsulated capsules with water vapor and ensure efficient regeneration. This remarkable combination of performance and durability positions our membrane technology as a transformative solution that addresses critical challenges and supports a sustainable future.