Gas sorption studies on Zeolite Y membrane materials for post-combustion CO2 capture in coal-fired plants

Recent achievements of supported Zeolite Y membranes with high CO2 permeance and selectivity have raised interest in their use for cost-effective capture of CO2 from flue gas of traditional coal power plants. The high CO2 selectivity rests upon a combination of size exclusion, induced by CO2 sorption on the micro-pore windows, and competitive diffusion that is largely in favor of CO2. This effect is strongly dependent on CO2 sorption which, in turn, depends on temperature, pressure and the presence of H2O. This paper summarizes recent pertaining sorption studies. Membrane activation and transport behavior is derived from sorption transient and CO2-H2O exchange studies. A preliminary interpretation points towards important and possibly prohibitive interference of H2O, and preferential transport through structural imperfections. (c) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.