Improving CO₂ Removal Efficiency with Bio-Cellulose Acetate: A Multi-Stage Membrane Separation Approach

In this comprehensive investigation, the sustainable production and utilization of gas separation membranes derived from coconut water (CW) waste was investigated. The research focuses on the synthesis of bacterial cellulose (BC) and cellulose acetate (CA) membranes from CW, followed by a thorough analysis of their characteristics, including morphology, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, tensile strength, and chemical composition. The study rigorously evaluates membrane performance, with particular emphasis on CO₂/CH₄ selectivity under various operational conditions, including pressure, membrane thickness, and number of stages. The application of these membranes in gas separation units was optimized for CO₂/CH₄ separation performance and eco-efficiency through a multi-stage membrane approach. The findings indicate that in double-stage configurations, CA membranes with a thickness of 0.04 mm, operating at 0.28 MPa, achieve a CO₂/CH₄ selectivity of 35.52, significantly surpassing single-stage performance (selectivity: 19.72). Furthermore, eco-efficiency analysis reveals optimal performance at 0.04 mm thickness and 0.175 MPa, reaching 3.08 CO₂/CH₄ selectivity/THB. These results conclusively demonstrate the viability of converting agricultural waste into high-performance gas separation membranes, representing a significant advancement in sustainable membrane technology. This research contributes valuable insights to the field and paves the way for further innovations in eco-friendly membrane production and application.