Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: In the context of the growing adoption of alternative gas separation processes, combined with the interest in hydrogen as a fuel and energy carrier, the use of membrane technology in H2/CH4 purification is analyzed in this work, focusing on the techno-economic aspects. In particular, the separation and economic performance of three Pd–Ag/Si-CHA membrane plants are simulated, aiming to achieve high degrees of purity and recovery paired with cost-effective configurations. A single Pd–Ag membrane stage operating at 20 atm and 350 °C can theoretically guarantee a CH4 concentration of 95%, while a completely pure H2 stream leaves the plant as a permeate product. The choice of a less selective Si-CHA membrane allows a temperature reduction but implies the use of more stages to achieve the desired CH4 target. In addition, H2 purity does not exceed 98%. A two-stage hybrid process, in which the retentate gas leaving the Pd–Ag membrane is cooled and fed to the Si-CHA unit, is also a cost-effective solution, as feed pressure can be reduced to 10 atm with significant compression cost savings. All the configurations are able to provide positive values of economic potential (EP); however, the single Pd–Ag membrane plant is the best option since it guarantees the highest EP, net profit and net present value (NPV).
Source: Membranes
Author: Pasquale Francesco Zito
Institutions: National Research Council, Institute on Membrane Technology
Language: English
Subfield: Mechanical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,654
Funder: European Commission
OpenAlex ID: W4415998210
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