Preparation of PVDF Hollow Fiber Membrane and Absorption of SO2 from Flue Gas Using Bench Scale Gas-Liquid Contactor

The micro-porous asymmetric PVDF hollow fiber membranes for gas-liquid contactor were prepared by the dry-jet wet phase inversion process and the characteristics of hollow fiber membranes were evaluated by the gas permeation method and scanning electron microscope. The chemical absorbent for removal of SO2 gas was sodium hydroxide at bench scale hollow fiber membrane contactor. The experiments were performed in a counter-current mode of operation with gas in the shell side and liquid in the fiber lumen of the module to examine the effect of various operating variables such as concentration of absorbent, gas flow rate, L/G ratio and concentration of inlet SO2 gas on the SO2 removal efficiency using PVDF hollow fiber membrane contactor. Membrane mass transfer coefficient(k(m)) was calculated by mathematical modeling. The volumetric overall mass transfer coefficient increased with increasing the concentration of absorbent and L/G ratio. The increase of the absorbent concentration and L/G ratio not only provides more sufficient alkalinity but also decreases liquid phase resistance. The volumetric overall mass transfer coefficient increased with increasing gas flow rate due to decreasing the gas phase resistance.