Propylene - propane separation using Zeolitic-Imidazolate Framework (ZIF-8) membranes: Process techno-commercial evaluation

Abstract

Several recent studies investigated the use of the novel Zeolitic-Imidazolate Framework (ZIF-8) membranes for olefinparaffin separation. In this manuscript, a techno-commercial model is developed to examine the use of these membranes for separating propylene from propane. Single-stage and two-stage membrane processes were assessed for their performance compared to distillation. The assessment was conducted considering 70 wt% propylene feed, typically produced from the upstream depropanizer. The single-stage process was found technically capable and commercially competent to produce the chemical grade propylene (93 wt%), but not the polymer grade (99.5 wt%). Alternatively, the two-stage process was capable of producing both propylene grades at promising recovery and cost figures. The published propylene/propane selectivity of 35 appears adequate in meeting the separation demands, subject to the adoption of proper unit design. Future research should grant more attention towards aspects such as ZIF-8 membranes' manufacturability, cost, and performance in real environments.

High performance polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) mixed matrix membrane (MMM) doped by various zeolite imidazolate frameworks

“…The U-Z00 had maximum DCA (104.5°) for the hydrophobic properties of PVDF itself. 40 The hydrophilicity of PVP made the UP-Z00 has the lowest DCA (60°). With adding the three kinds of ZIF-8, The hydrophobicity of ZIF-8 led to the DCA of the MMM’s surface was increased.…”

Membrane‐Based Olefin/Paraffin Separations

“…Membranes with framework structures, particularly those composed of ZIF‐8, have attracted the most attention. [ 132 ] In 2011, Pan et al. first reported that ZIF‐8 membrane could sharply separate ethylene/propylene and ethane/propane gas pairs.…”

Ultrathin Low‐Crystallinity MOF Membranes Fabricated by Interface Layer Polarization Induction

“…[ 3,8 ] High‐crystallinity MOF membranes have been widely used for difficult separations, especially for olefin/paraffin separations. [ 9–11 ] However, only very few ultrathin MOF membranes have been successfully obtained, mainly by the deposition of metal salts, ligands, or 2D MOF nanosheets or by electric fields onto inflexible inorganic supports or metal surfaces. [ 3,10,12 ] These membranes do not typically display high permeance and high selectivity simultaneously.…”

“…[ 13 ] Thus fabricating high‐performance membranes on flexible polymeric supports, especially those with high permeance, is crucial for realizing large‐scale applications of gas separation membranes. [ 11,13 ]…”