H2 separation of synthetic multicomponent gas mixtures using single-stage and multistage hollow fiber membrane systems: An experimental and theoretical study

This work aims at providing a comprehensive experimental and theoretical study on H 2 separation from synthetic mixtures representative of industrial syngas streams by using hollow fiber membrane modules, which – to the best of our knowledge - has been rarely investigated previously. Furthermore, the impact of multistage separation configurations is analyzed and compared to single-stage operation. In particular, an in series two-stages hollow fiber membrane system has been designed to separate and recover enriched H 2 and, as a best result, according to a stage-cut increase from 61 to around 80%, a significant improvement in the permeate H 2 composition has been observed, leading to a maximum H 2 recovery of ∼93% at 6.0∙10 5 Pa, with a corresponding final H 2 concentration of 92%. Meanwhile, the proposed plant has been simulated to recover not only H 2 but also other added value products such as CH 4 . In this regard, the simulations show that the proposed plant may ensure complete CH 4 recovery, with a maximum concentration of 90%, and a H 2 recovery close to 90%, with a final concentration of about 82%. • The hollow fiber membrane system got 93% H 2 recovery with H 2 concentration of 92%. • The plant ensures complete CH4 recovery, with a maximum concentration of 90%. • Hollow fiber membrane operated for 112 days under constant selectivity performance.