High pressure removal of acid gases using hollow fiber membrane contactors: Further characterization and long-term operational stability

Our previously reported high pressure hollow fibers membrane (HFM) modules were specifically developed with aim to meet the operation requirements for the industrial sweetening of natural gas. The present work presents further characterization of CO2 and H2S high pressure removal under different experimental conditions, which are in particular relevant to the ultimate intended industrial application. These include module packing density, feed gas/absorption liquid flow rate ratio, absorption liquid temperature as well as solvent loading. The operational stability of the HFM module, equipped with the PFA hollow fibers, was also investigated and reported. The presented results on the long-term operational stability of membrane modules based on hollow fibers, under industrially relevant conditions are believed to be the first report of its kind. The PFA-HFM modules showed excellent operational stability during the test period, i.e., ∼200 operation hours over a 7-week period using pressurized feed gas pressure (50 bar) and hot absorption solvent (100 °C).