Dual layer-coated membranes for gas separations

US10625201B2 · kind B2 · utility

Inventors

• Carl W. Liskey · Chicago, US
• Chunqing Liu · Schaumburg, US
• Michael B. Hamoy · Crystal Lake, US
• Nicole K. Karns · Des Plaines, US
• Howie Q. Tran · Hoffman Estates, US
• David W. Greer · Cary, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 27, 2017
• Grant date: Apr 21, 2020
• Expiry date: Jun 5, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02C20/40
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention discloses dual layer-coated membranes and methods for making and using these membranes. The dual layer-coated membranes have a relatively porous and substantial void-containing selective asymmetric membrane support, a first coating layer comprising a hydrogel, and a second coating layer comprising a hydrophobic fluoropolymer. The membrane support has low selectivity and high permeance. The dual layer coating improves the selectivity of the membrane support and maintains the membrane performance with time. The dual layer-coated membranes are suitable for a variety of liquid, gas, and vapor separations such as water purification, non-aqueous liquid separation such as deep desulfurization of gasoline and diesel fuels, ethanol/water separations, pervaporation dehydration of aqueous/organic mixtures, fuel gas conditioning, CO2/CH4, He/CH4, CO2/N2, H2/CH4, O2/N2, olefin/paraffin, iso/normal paraffins separations, and other light gas mixture separations. The dual layer-coated membranes are especially useful for natural gas liquid (NGL) recovery and CO2 removal from natural gas.