Removal of CO2 and/or SO2 from gas streams by a membrane absorption method

Studies were made on the membrane absorption of CO₂ and/or SO₂ using hydrophobic microporous hollow-fibre (HF) membrane modules. The absorbent liquids used were aqueous solutions of NaOH, K₂CO₃, alkanolamines and Na₂SO₃, flowing on the lumen side of the HF in laminar flow. A semi-empirical correlation was derived for the gas-phase mass-transfer coefficient on the shell side, by including geometrical factors of the HFs and the shell tube in the general correlation for mass transfer. It was found that the CO₂ absorption rate in various aqueous solutions of alkalis and alkanolamines is successfully described by a model based on gas diffusion through the membrane pores subsequent to gas absorption accompanied by chemical reaction. The simultaneous membrane absorption of SO₂ and CO₂ was also studied using aqueous Na₂SO₃ solution, the selective removal of SO₂ to CO₂ being successfully achieved when both the liquid flow rate and solute concentration are low. This suggests that this membrane absorption method provides an energy saving process for SO₂ removal from flue gases.