Propylene - propane separation using Zeolitic-Imidazolate Framework (ZIF-8) membranes: Process techno-commercial evaluation

• Published in: Journal of membrane science Vol. 591; p. 117252
• Main Authors: Alcheikhhamdon, Yousif, Pinnau, Ingo, Hoorfar, Mina, Chen, Bo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.12.2019
• Subjects: artificial membranes; distillation; polymers; Pressure ratio; Process configuration; propane; propylene; Propylene-propane; Separation cost; ZIF-8 membrane; OPEX; PR; Process configuration; ZIF-8; Propylene-propane; CMS; Pressure ratio; ZIF-8 membrane; XRD; CAPEX; Separation cost
• ISSN: 0376-7388; 1873-3123
• DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2019.117252

Several recent studies investigated the use of the novel Zeolitic-Imidazolate Framework (ZIF-8) membranes for olefin-paraffin separation. In this manuscript, a techno-commercial model is developed to examine the use of these membranes for separating propylene from propane. Single-stage and two-stage membrane processes were assessed for their performance compared to distillation. The assessment was conducted considering 70 wt% propylene feed, typically produced from the upstream depropanizer. The single-stage process was found technically capable and commercially competent to produce the chemical grade propylene (93 wt%), but not the polymer grade (99.5 wt%). Alternatively, the two-stage process was capable of producing both propylene grades at promising recovery and cost figures. The published propylene/propane selectivity of 35 appears adequate in meeting the separation demands, subject to the adoption of proper unit design. Future research should grant more attention towards aspects such as ZIF-8 membranes’ manufacturability, cost, and performance in real environments. •ZIF-8 membranes have potentials to compete with the energy intensive C3 distillations.•The selection of the C3 separation technology is dependent on feasibility and cost.•Single-stage ZIF-8 membrane units suffer from propylene purity/recovery trade-off.•Process design controls the adverse impacts resulted from ZIF-8 membrane imperfection.