A targeting approach to the synthesis of membrane networks for gas separations

In this paper, the problem of optimizing the performance of membrane-based gas separations is investigated. A large number of papers has been presented in the past that deal with this subject with emphasis on the production of nitrogen or oxygen enriched air and the separation of the CO2/CH4 gas mixture. This paper introduces a new approach where the membrane material is optimized together with the structure and the parameters of the membrane network. A superstructure representation of the membrane-based gas separation networks is also proposed. Two case studies are presented to demonstrate the usefulness of the new methodology as a rigorous tool for the optimization of membrane permeation processes.