Kr/Xe Separation over a Chabazite Zeolite Membrane

J Am Chem Soc. 2016 Aug 10;138(31):9791-4. doi: 10.1021/jacs.6b06515. Epub 2016 Aug 1.

Abstract

Herein we demonstrate that chabazite zeolite SAPO-34 membranes effectively separated Kr/Xe gas mixtures at industrially relevant compositions. Control over membrane thickness and average crystal size led to industrial range permeances and high separation selectivities. Specifically, SAPO-34 membranes can separate Kr/Xe mixtures with Kr permeances as high as 1.2 × 10 (-7) mol/m(2) s Pa and separation selectivities of 35 for molar compositions close to typical concentrations of these two gases in air. In addition, SAPO-34 membranes separated Kr/Xe mixtures with Kr permeances as high as 1.2 × 10 (-7) mol/m(2) s Pa and separation selectivities up to 45 for molar compositions as might be encountered in nuclear reprocessing technologies. Molecular sieving and differences in diffusivities were identified as the dominant separation mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.