Process Intensification by Coupling Gas Permeation and Membrane Contactor for Removing CO₂ at Low Partial Pressure

Effective solutions for removing CO₂ are necessary to ensure the safety of crew members in confined spaces. Exploring enhanced process coupling strategies is a way to solve the important demand of maintaining low CO₂ concentrations. Despite extensive inquiries into different approaches, a conclusive and ideal technology nonetheless remains unresolved. A novel method is presented that combines gas permeation with membrane contactors to effectively eliminate CO₂ at low partial pressures. The mathematical models were validated using experimental data, and extensive computational evaluations of the coupled process were performed. The transport characteristics of gas permeation membranes demonstrate a prospective path for the development of high-performance membranes. More precisely, membranes with a gas permeance unit value of 1000 for CO₂ and CO₂/N₂ selectivity of around 40 show a substantial decrease in the overall membrane surface area needed. Furthermore, the significance of process design in enhancing system performance is emphasized. The results suggest that using a single-stage flowsheet provides similar effectiveness as a two-step method while also simplifying operations. This study enhances the comprehension of CO₂ elimination technologies and suggests a simplified, efficient resolution for real-world implementations.