Theoretical considerations about a membrane process for helium purification in multichannel monoliths for high temperature nuclear reactors

In this work we present the modeling and simulation of a new membrane process for helium purification in high temperature nuclear reactors. We considered the application of multichannel porous monolith supports from Pall-Exekia, with thin, microporous layers of silica/alumina. These membranes present helium permeance values in the range of 10−10 kmol m−2 s−1 Pa−1 at 300 °C for transmembrane pressures of 1–60 bar. The Dusty Gas Model was used in order to highlight the effect of the porous support on the separation. An original new cascade configuration has been designed to reach the desired range of helium purity. Simulations showed many advantages of this configuration over those previously reported in the bibliography because there are no recycles and no intermediate compression units.