Polymeric Membranes for H 2 S and CO 2 Removal from Natural Gas for Hydrogen Production: A Review

Shraavya Rao, Babul Prasad, Yang Han and W.S. Winston Ho ()
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Shraavya Rao: William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, 151 West Woodruff Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210-1350, USA
Babul Prasad: William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, 151 West Woodruff Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210-1350, USA
Yang Han: William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, 151 West Woodruff Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210-1350, USA
W.S. Winston Ho: William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, 151 West Woodruff Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210-1350, USA

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 15, 1-37

Abstract: Natural gas, an important source of hydrogen, is expected to be crucial in the transition to a hydrogen-based economy. The landscape of the gas processing industry is set to change in the near future with the development of highly acidic sour gas wells. Natural gas purification constitutes a major share of the gas separation membrane market, and the shift to low-quality sour gas wells has been mirrored in the trends of membrane material research. Purification also constitutes the major portion of the cost of natural gas, posing implications for the cost of hydrogen production. This review provides an update on the current state of research regarding polymeric membranes for H 2 S removal, along with CO 2 separation, from natural gas that is used for hydrogen production via steam methane reforming. The challenges of adapting polymeric membranes to ternary H 2 S/CO 2 /CH 4 separations are discussed in detail. Key polymeric materials are highlighted, and the prospects for their application in H 2 S removal from natural gas are evaluated. Finally, the growing interest in H 2 production from H 2 S is discussed. Advances in the membrane industry and the emergence of new membrane materials may significantly improve the commercial viability of such processes.

Keywords: polymeric membrane; hydrogen sulfide removal; natural gas; hydrogen; CO 2 separation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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