Pressed clinoptilolite and mixed copper-clinoptilolite disk membranes for hydrogen separation

Abstract

Natural zeolites have crystalline nanopores, which make them suitable as membranes for small molecular separations. Rock sections machined from such deposits have demonstrated the combination of properties yields promising selectivity but these membranes cannot be adequately scaled. To overcome this, mixed matrix membranes are required that pair small particles of natural zeolite with a binder system. The effectiveness of metallic copper was tested by comparing the performance of compacted disks containing naturally occurring clinoptilolite with and without powdered copper metal. The phase composition and morphology of the disks were characterized and gas separation performance was evaluated using single gas permeation tests.