Olefin Recovery by *BEA-Type Zeolite Membrane: Affinity-Based Separation with Olefin-Ag+ Interaction

Motomu Sakai; Yuto Tsuzuki; Naoyuki Fujimaki; Masahiko Matsukata

doi:10.1002/asia.202100096

Olefin Recovery by *BEA-Type Zeolite Membrane: Affinity-Based Separation with Olefin-Ag⁺ Interaction

Chem Asian J. 2021 May 3;16(9):1101-1105. doi: 10.1002/asia.202100096. Epub 2021 Mar 18.

Authors

Motomu Sakai¹, Yuto Tsuzuki², Naoyuki Fujimaki², Masahiko Matsukata^{2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Research Organization for Nano & Life Innovation, Waseda University, 513 Waseda-Tsurumaki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-0041, Japan.
² Department of Applied Chemistry, Waseda University., 513 Waseda-Tsurumaki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-0041, Japan.
³ Advanced Research Institute for Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 513 Waseda-Tsurumaki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-0041, Japan.

Abstract

Ag⁺ was introduced into *BEA-type zeolite membrane by an ion-exchange method to enhance olefin selectivity. Ag-*BEA membrane exhibited superior olefin separation performance for both ethylene/ethane and propylene/propane mixtures. Particularly, the separation factor for ethylene at 373 K reached 57 with the ethylene permeance of 1.6×10^-7 mol m^-2 s^-1 Pa^-1 . Adsorption properties of olefin and paraffin were evaluated to discuss contribution of Ag⁺ to separation performance enhancement. A strong interaction between olefin and Ag⁺ in the membrane caused preferential adsorption of olefin against paraffin, leading to selective permeation of olefin. Ag-*BEA membrane also exhibited high olefin selectivities from olefin/N₂ mixtures. The affinity-based separation through Ag-*BEA membrane showed a high potential for olefin recovery and purification from various gas mixtures.

Keywords: *BEA; ethylene; membrane separation; propylene; zeolite.

Grants and funding

JPMJCR1324/JST CREST