Supervisors - Prof. Stefano Brandani, University of Edinburgh, Dr. Maria-Chiara Ferrari, University of Edinburgh
PhD Student - Davide Bocciardo, University of Edinburgh
Status - Complete
Membrane separation processes have been reported to be a next-generation carbon capture option. This technology has successfully been applied to various industrial processes, such as methane purification and air separation. Due to its peculiarities, such as modularity and absence of regenerating apparatus, membrane separation processes represent an attractive alternative to amine absorption processes. In particular, the possibility to reduce the energy consumption and small foot-print are key features for the integration with a power plant.
The aim of this project is to study the application of membrane separation processes to carbon capture, particularly post-combustion capture from the flue gas of a coal fired power plant. The study will compare membrane processes other post-combustion capture technologies, i.e. absorption. It is expected that optimised membrane configurations will be able to achieve similar separation efficiencies and recoveries with lower energy consumption.
The development of the PhD will be focused on two key points: an analysis of the main industrial configurations and of the materials constituting the membrane, including mixed matrix membranes.