Chemical Processing - June 2008 - (Page 13)

in process the process up. We hope to have all the necessary data in about a year’s time,” he notes. At that time, pilotplant trials for both batch and continuous flow modes should begin, he says. “We are looking at establishing a spin-out company to further the development of the process. If pilot plant studies are successful, we would hope to move to a demonstration facility within the next few years,” says North. In industrial implementation, he foresees plant flue gases being piped directly to a continuous reactor. “Our technology would be just another module added onto the back of an existing power station, alongside NOx and SOx extractors, etc.” What factor most strongly influences you when considering a new job? 40.0 35.0 30.0 25.0 Responses (%) 20.0 15.0 10.0 5.0 0.0 Position’s responsibilities and challenges Job security/employer stability Other Location Salary and beneﬁts A sO-CAlled polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM), whose structure resembles crispy noodles, incorporated into a composite membrane with a synthetic catalyst may provide more effective removal of carbon dioxide from flue gases. That’s the hope of Peter Budd, a materials chemist at the Organic Materials Innovation Centre of the University of Manchester, Manchester, U.K. He has received a £150,000 (the equivalent of about $300,000) grant from the U.K.’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council to conduct a feasibility study. “The essential idea we are testing is that it should be possible to greatly increase the selectivity of a membrane for CO2 by incorporating a synthetic material that behaves in a similar way to carbonic anhydrase. Carbonic anhydrases are a family of enzymes that catalyze the reversible hydration of CO2 to bicarbonate,” Budd explains. “When the polymer is used as a gas separation membrane, it has a very high permeability to CO2, and also a high selectivity for CO2 over, for example, N2 or CH4. However, for a membrane system that will significantly outperform other technologies, a substantial increase in selectivity is required over that achievable with a polymer alone. The feasibility study is to test the idea of incorporating a catalytic component that will encourage selective transport of CO2 from a gas mixture into an aqueous phase, then from that aqueous phase into a stream of pure gas.” Budd foresees significant advantages for this approach over alternative CO2-removal technologies such as absorption, pressure-swing adsorption and cryogenic separation. “…A membrane process, if a sufficiently selective membrane system can be developed, arguably offers the greatest potential for costeffective and energy-efficient separation.” Should the study prove favorable, piloting is several years away, he adds. Polymer promises better CO2 removal More respondents say salary and benefits are most important, but only by a small margin. To participate in this month’s poll, go to ChemicalProcessing.com. Need a Separations Specialist? Call Kuhni. In Kuhni, you’ll find a global partner offering innovative, high performance process systems featuring higher efficiency, more scaleable thermal and liquidextraction separation technologies such as: • Rombopak® structured tower packing • Kuhni Slit Trays • Kuhni Extraction Columns • Kuhni Film Evaporators Plus we offer engineering services as well as complete separations systems with process guarantees. To learn more, visit our new web site at www.kuhni.us. Kuhni USA Inc. PO Box 308 Stanley NC 28164 tel +1704 675 5405 fax +1 704 675 5419 email contact@kuhni.us internet www.kuhni.us http://ChemicalProcessing.com http://www.kuhni.us http://www.kuhni.us

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Chemical Processing - June 2008 Contents From the Editor ChemicalProcessing.com Field Notes In Process Energy Saver Compliance Advisor Achieve Model Operations Bolster Your Condition Monitoring Toolbox Particle Analysis Makes Solid Progress Improve Batch Reactor Temperature Control Improve Your Job Security Plant InSites Process Puzzler Equipment & Services Product Spotlight/Classifieds Ad Index End Point

Chemical Processing - June 2008

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