Effect of Humidity on CO/N and CO/CH Separation Using Novel Robust Mixed Matrix Composite Hollow Fiber Membranes: Experimental and Model Evaluation.

In this work, the performance of new robust mixed matrix composite hollow fiber (MMCHF) membranes with a different selective layer composition is evaluated in the absence and presence of water vapor in CO/N and CO/CH separation. The selective layer of these membranes is made of highly permeable hydrophobic poly(trimethyl-1-silylpropine) (PTMSP) and hydrophilic chitosan-ionic liquid (IL-CS) hybrid matrices, respectively, filled with hydrophilic zeolite 4A particles in the first case and HKUST-1 nanoparticles in the second, coated over compatible supports. The effect of water vapor in the feed or using a commercial hydrophobic PDMSXA-10 HF membrane has also been studied for comparison. Mixed gas separation experiments were performed at values of 0 and 50% relative humidity (RH) in the feed and varying CO concentration in N and CH, respectively. The performance has been validated by a simple mathematical model considering the effect of temperature and relative humidity on membrane permeability.