A review of membrane material for biogas and natural gas upgrading

Methane, as the most important gaseous fuel, is obtained either from natural gas or biogas. The gases should be upgraded by the separation of principal and minor impurities like CO2, N2, H2S, O2, CO, NH3, H2O, and heavier hydrocarbons. Among the applied upgrading processes, membrane separation technology is particularly attractive for upgrading because of its promising advantages. The purpose of this research is to assess the various membranes utilized for natural and biogas treatment (polymeric, inorganic, and mixed matrix membranes), as well as the advancements made to these membranes. 6FDA-based polyimides and PIM membranes and their mixed matrix (MOFs, zeolites, and POFs) have shown the best performance. Polymeric membranes, on the other hand, are susceptible to a variety of chemical and physical alternations as a result of CO2- plasticizing effect. Crosslinking and heat annealing are the most frequent methods of preventing polymer plasticization.

Automated summary

Methane, the main gaseous fuel, can be obtained from natural gas or biogas. Upgrading these gases by separating impurities like CO2, N2, H2S, O2, CO, NH3, H2O, and heavier hydrocarbons is important. Membrane separation technology is an attractive method for upgrading, and 6FDA-based polyimides and PIM membranes with mixed matrix (MOFs, zeolites, and POFs) have shown the best performance. However, polymeric membranes are susceptible to chemical and physical changes due to CO2 plasticizing effect, which can be prevented by crosslinking and heat annealing.