Optimization of CO₂/H₂ Separation over Ba-SAPO-34 Zeolite Membrane Synthesized by Microwave Heating

CO₂/H₂ separation using membrane technology is an important research area in order to obtain high purity hydrogen as one source of clean energy. Finding a suitable inorganic membrane is one of the critical issues, which needs to be explored for CO₂/H₂ separation. In the present study, Ba-SAPO-34 zeolite membrane was synthesized and followed by a modification process. CO₂/H₂ separation of the membrane was investigated by varying the independent process variables (CO₂ % in the feed, pressure difference across the membrane and temperature). Modeling and optimization for the responses (CO₂/H₂ separation selectivity and CO₂ permeance) was performed by applying response surface methodology and central composite design, which is available in Design Expert software. The accuracy of the models in predicting the response was tested by comparing with the experimental value of response and the two values were in good agreement. The optimization of the models gave CO₂ permeance of 19.23 × 10^-7 mol/m² s Pa and CO₂/H₂ separation selectivity of 11.6 at 5% CO₂ in the feed, a pressure difference of 100 kPa, and temperature of 30 °C for Ba-SAPO-34 zeolite membrane.