Novel Supported Carbon-Silica Nanocomposite Membranes for Air Separation

78089S Nitrogen and oxygen are respectively the number one- and number three-highest volume chemicals manufactured by the chemical industry. It has been estimated that even moderate improvements in air separation capabilities would save 0.36 quads of energy annually in the U.S. For air separation with membranes, additional large energy and cost savings would acrue (over current gas production methods) if air separation membranes were developed with capability of producing >90% purity oxygen. Therefore, the purpose of this project is to develop novel nanocomposite membranes with ¿breakthrough¿ capabilities for air separations, including the development of manufacturing techniques on cost-effective support structures. In Phase I, the ability to fabricate thin supported nanocomposite membranes with outstanding air separation properties will be demonstrated. The supports to be employed will be made of the same compositions as the larger, cost-effective supports that will be employed in Phase II. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The envisioned membrane modules should have application in industrial gas production for air separation into high-purity oxygen and nitrogen streams. They may also prove to be practical for other industrial gas separations.