Dehydration of Natural Gas Using Polyether Sulfone (PES) Membrane and Its Nanocomposite with Silica Particles and Nitrogen Sweeping Gas

Natural gas must be dehydrated before being sent to the distribution network to control corrosion and prevent the formation of solid hydrates. Membrane technology is a viable alternative to conventional glycol absorbents and adsorbent solids. This study was performed to evaluate the dehydration of crude natural gas by membrane separation process. Various operating conditions such as the effect of silica nanoparticles, pressure and sweeping gas on the removal of water vapor dissolved in natural gas were investigated using PES membrane and its nanocomposite. PES membranes and their nanocomposites with silica was made by solution mixing method in solvent dimethyl formamide. The properties of silica nanoparticles and fabricated nanocomposite membranes were evaluated by Fourier transfer spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The dehydration rate was from natural gas in the pressure range of 2 to 10 bar and temperature of 30 °C in the presence of nitrogen sweeping gas. The addition of silica nanoparticles to the Polyether Sulfone membrane significantly reduced the moisture content of natural gas. Also, with increasing feed pressure, the amount of water permeation from the membrane improved. The use of nitrogen sweeping gas reduced the amount of water in natural gas in pure Polyether Sulfone membranes by more than 80% and in nanocomposite membranes by more than 100%.