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John L. Falconer
Carbon Dioxide/Methane Separations

We use SAPO-34 membranes to separate CO₂ from natural gas streams. Carbon dioxide is the smaller molecule and it also adsorbs more strongly than CH₄ in this zeolite structure. These separations are of interest because many natural gas wells contain high concentrations of CO₂ that must be removed without decreasing the CH₄ pressure. These SAPO-34 membranes are 5 μm thick and their pores are similar in size to the CH₄ molecule so that CO₂ preferentially permeates. Selectivities above 100 have been obtained at 30 atmosphere pressure and 50^oC.

Sample Publications

Li, S., G. Alvarado, J.L. Falconer, R.D. Noble, “Effect of Impurities on CO2/CH4Separation in SAPO-34 Membranes”, J. Membrane Science 25,59-66 (2005)

Li, S., Martinek, J., Falconer, J.L., and Noble, R.D., “High-Pressure CO2/CH4 Separation Using SAPO-34 Membranes“, Ind. Eng. Chem. Research 44, 3220-3228 (2005)

S. Li, J. L. Falconer, and R.D. Noble, “Improved SAPO-34 membranes for CO2/CH4 separations”, Advanced Materials 17, 2601-2603 (2006)

S. Li, J.L. Falconer, R.D. Noble, “SAPO-34 Membranes for CO2/CH4 Separations: Effect of Si/Al Ratio”, Microporous Mesoporous Materials, in press (2007).

M.A. Carreon, S. Li, J.L. Falconer, R.D. Noble, “SAPO-34 Seeds and Membranes Prepared using Multiple Templates”, Advanced Materials, in press (2007)

M.A. Carreon, S. Li, J.L. Falconer, R.D. Noble, “Alumina Supported SAPO-34 Membranes for CO2/CH4 Separation”, (2008).

S. Li, M.A. Carreon, R.D. Noble, J.L. Falconer, “Scale-up of SAPO-34 Membranes for CO2/CH4 Separation” (2008)

Li, S., J.L. Falconer, R.D. Noble, "SAPO-34 Membranes for CO₂/CH₄ Separation", J. Membrane Science, 241, 121-135 (2004)

Poshusta, J.C., Noble, R.D. and Falconer, J.L., Characterization of SAPO-34 Membranes by Water Adsorption", J. Membrane Science 186, 25-40 (2001).

Poshusta, J.C. Tuan, V.A., Pape, E.A., Noble, R.D., and Falconer, J.L., Separation of Light Gas Mixtures Using SAPO-34 Membranes", AIChE Journal 46, 779-789 (2000).

Poshusta, J.C., Falconer, J.L., and Noble, R.D., "Temperature and Pressure Effects on CO₂ and CH₄ Permeation through MFI Zeolite Membranes", J. Membrane Science 160, 115-125 (1999).