Materials Research

EPA Grant Number: X83254101-1

Center: CEER at Alfred University

Investigator: Misture, Scott

Institution:  Alfred University

Project Period:  September 1, 2006 – February 28, 2008

Research Category: Congressionally Mandated Center

 

Description:  

The greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. are primarily from electricity generation, with CO₂ as the major component.   Possible new power plant designs include gas separation membranes that can reduce CO₂ emissions from the combustion process by separation of CO₂, oxygen, or hydrogen, but the technology is still not mature.  A study of a novel process for producing gas separation membranes using the well-established glass-ceramic process is proposed.  The work centers on creating glass-ceramics with oxides of Ni, Si, Al, etc., then reducing the monolithic membranes to produce microporous membranes that are loaded with Ni metal colloids.  The process represents true nanoscale manipulation of the solid to obtain the desired nanopore structure. Subsequent evaluation of the membranes will provide the basis for possible widespread applications.

 

Objectives/Hypotheses: 

The proposed work will demonstrate the feasibility of manufacturing gas separation membranes using a well-established and low-cost glass-ceramic process.  The effects of glass composition on the crystalline phases that form and the nature of the micropores formed after exposure to a reducing atmosphere will be determined.  The process will yield highly dispersed Ni metal particles supported by the oxide glass-ceramic that may also have applications for catalysis and looping combustion oxygen sources.

 

Approach: 

Glasses will be melted and then crystallized to form crystalline phases that contain Ni, Al, and Si as major components.  The oxide glass-ceramic will then be subjected to reducing environment at high temperature to reduce the Ni to the metallic state, yielding a solid with dispersed Ni metal colloids and a nanoscale pore structure.  The initial composition of the glass will determine the phases that form and therefore the pore size and structure.  Physical characterization and measurements of H₂ permeation will be performed to evaluate the success of the process. 

 

Expected Results:  

The proposed work has the potential to become a new breakthrough technology that is easily adapted to multilayer or composite membranes that are commercially viable.   Given that the majority of CO₂ emissions are from electrical plants (with transportation second), the ability to capture ~82% of the CO₂ emissions would reduce emissions in the U.S. by nearly 2,000 Tg per year, or in total by ~35%.

 

Supplemental Keywords:  ceramic membrane; hydrogen separation; glass; reforming