Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 24, 2026

Performing In Situ Closed-Cell Gas Reactions in the Transmission Electron Microscope
Published on: July 24, 2021
High-Performance Polybenzimidazole Membranes for Helium Extraction from Natural Gas
Xuerui Wang1, Meixia Shan1, Xinlei Liu1
1Chemical Engineering Department , Delft University of Technology , Van der Maasweg 9 , 2629 HZ Delft , The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Increasing helium use in research and production processes necessitates separation techniques to secure sufficient supply of this noble gas. Energy-efficient helium production from natural gas is still a big challenge. Membrane gas separation technology could play an important role. Herein, a novel poly( p-phenylene benzobisimidazole) (PBDI) polymeric membrane for helium extraction from natural gas with low He abundance is reported. The membranes were fabricated by a facile interfacial polymerization at room temperature. The thin and defect-free membrane structure was manipulated by the confined polymerization of monomers diffusing through the interface between two immiscible liquids. Both He/CH4 selectivity and He permeance are competitive over those of other commercial perfluoropolymers. Even at low He content of 1%, separation performance of the PBDI membrane transcended the current upper bound. The unprecedented selectivity (>1000) together with the excellent stability (∼360 h) endows PBDI membranes with a great potential for energy-efficient industrial recovery and production of this precious He resources from reservoirs with low abundance.
More Related Videos
09:48Employing Pressurized Hot Water Extraction PHWE to Explore Natural Products Chemistry in the Undergraduate Laboratory
Published on: November 7, 2018
10:34Exploring the Radical Nature of a Carbon Surface by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and a Calibrated Gas Flow
Published on: April 24, 2014
Related Concept Videos
Behavior of Gas Molecules: Molecular Diffusion, Mean Free Path, and Effusion
Applications of the Ideal Gas Law: Molar Mass, Density, and Volume
Gas Exchange and Transport
What is Natural Selection?
Kinetic Molecular Theory and Gas Laws Explain Properties of Gas Molecules
Nature and Nurture