Hydrogen/carbon monoxide separation with cellulose acetate membranes

Hydrogen/carbon monoxide ratio adjustment is of fundamental interest to the petrochemical and energy industries for the production of C1 chemicals. Cellulose acetate membranes have been found to be effective for this service and can offer improvements over other gas purification techniques in several respects including reduced capital and operating costs. Membrane and cryogenic processes are compared for the specific case of manufacture of a 1/1 H2/CO syngas for oxoalcohol production. A particular advantage of the membrane process is its flexibility. This has benefited a recently installed facility for the Central Research Institute of the Electrical Power Institute of Japan for variable adjustment of the hydrogen to carbon monoxide ratio at a test facility demonstrating coal gasification/ gas turbine power production. Design and operating details of this facility are discussed. The membrane process may also be used to produce a pure CO product. The performance of polysulphone and cellulose acetate are compared for this application.