System Development

The system development of the Membrane Technology group mainly focuses towards the design of an optimum module configuration, and membrane geometry. This includes the development of a suitable sealing assembly for the transition of the ceramic support the steel module. Finally, we design and build dedicated laboratory equipment that suit our specific needs. The motivation of these activities can be found in the objective of the group to provide membrane solutions for energy efficient separations. The development of just a membrane is than not enough. Instead the whole system has to be developed.

For this activity the Membrane Technology group closely cooperates with the engineers from the unit Engineering & Services. General calculation tools like Mathcad as engineering calculation software is being used. 3D drawing and design packages like CoCreate OneSpace Modeling and CodeCalc are used.

Sealing

Applications for the inorganic membranes range from mild process conditions up to temperatures as high as 900°C and aggressive media like strong solvents and acids. In an industrial process the membrane will be incorporated in a module and the sealing especially at high temperatures is an underestimated topic. Coping with the differences in thermal expansion between a ceramic membrane and steel module is one of the main issues. For our tubular membranes we have developed and patented a simple and cheap sealing based upon graphite that can be used for:

• Pervaporation and nanofiltration, up to 25 bar and 200°C

• Gas separation in reducing atmosphere, up to 150 bar and 600°C

Modules and equipment design and building

Small scale lab test modules up to complete pilot scale test systems are being designed, built and operated. Besides material aspects also heat and mass transfer in the modules and systems is being optimized, e.g. by simple chemical engineering calculations or the detailed design using Computational Fluid Dynamics. Some examples of modules and systems made are given below.