Research Progress of Methane Membrane Separation Technology

Area of Science:

• Membrane science and engineering
• Chemical engineering
• Materials science

Background:

• Membrane technology is crucial for efficient and low-energy methane capture and purification.
• Growing demand for methane utilization necessitates advanced separation techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review recent advancements in membrane technology for methane separation.
• To analyze material design, mass transfer mechanisms, and applications in biogas upgrading and natural gas decarbonization.

Main Methods:

• Review of novel membrane materials: polymers, inorganics, and mixed matrix membranes (MMMs).
• Analysis of strategies: pore structure regulation, interface optimization, and functionalization.
• Examination of mass transfer mechanisms and separation performance for CO2/CH4 and CH4/N2 systems.

Main Results:

• Significant enhancements in membrane separation performance achieved through novel materials and strategies.
• Demonstrated economic feasibility and application potential in specific methane separation scenarios.
• Identified key challenges: long-term material stability, anti-plasticization, and scalable manufacturing.

Conclusions:

• Membrane technology holds significant promise for methane resource utilization and energy transition.
• Further research is needed on material development, process optimization, and intelligent control for industrial implementation.
• Overcoming current obstacles is essential for the broader application of membrane-based methane separation.