Gas separation performance of inorganic polyphosphazene membranes

The objective of this research program was to develop, characterize, and evaluate the potential of phosphazene polymers for separations performed in harsh environments. The program was divided into two general areas, gas separations and metal ion separations involving aqueous solutions. Each of these two areas is the subject of a topical report; this report deals with the gas separations. Throughout the world, there is rapidly growing interest in membrane separation as an energy efficient way to separate components of a process stream or waste stream, such as in desalination of water or clarification of fruit juices. In some cases membranes perform separations that are otherwise very difficult, such as breaking azeotropes. In the early stages of the work reported here, there was interest in separating acid gases from process flue gases and in natural gas sweetening. As a result, research was undertaken to characterize membrane performance. First, a pure gas test apparatus was developed to determine the permeabilities of a number of gases through various membranes at a variety of temperatures. Second, an automated mixed gas test cell was developed in which membranes could be exposed to mixtures of pairs of gases. Each of these approaches has its advantages and each will be discussed separately