The preparation and characterization of hollow fibre membranes for gas separation

A dry-jet wet-spinning process developed industrially for the preparation of hollow fibre membranes suitable for gas separation applications, has been reproduced on a laboratory scale. Polysulphone hollow fibres were spun from a variety of solvents and their gas transport properties were characterized using equipment built during the
course of the research.

The phase inversion process of membrane formation was studied in order that the best morphological structure could be produced. The spinning parameters were studied to establish their influence on the fibre dimensions. Further relationships were then sought between the gas transport properties and the fibre dimensions and spinning parameters.

The behaviour of the membranes to both single gases and gas mixtures was studied. Both the permeation rate constants and the separation factors determined from the mixture permeation were found to be lower than the values predicted from the single gas permeation experiments. A model was developed to help understand the competitive nature of the
adsorption-diffusion process and explain the differences in values recorded from the single gas and mixture studies.

Experiments aimed at improving membrane performance were based on modification of the already established polysulphone hollow fibre. Modification of the selective surface layer of the hollow fibre membranes was considered to be the best approach. Coating of the fibres, other
than to repair damage to the skin layer, was found to result in too large a decrease in permeability. Sulphonation of the surface layer was achieved using sulphur trioxide, although little improvement in the
membrane performance was recorded. The sulphonation experiment results were, however, sufficiently encouraging to recommend future work.