179e Gas Separation Membranes at Air Liquide/medal

Uttam Shanbhag1, Edgar S. Sanders2, S. S. Kulkarni3, I. C. Roman3, T. Li3, O. M. Ekiner3, C. Anderson2, S. Karode2, and C. Kim2. (1) AL-DRT, 200 GBC Drive, Newark, DE 19702, (2) MEDAL - Air Liquide, 305 Water St., Newport, DE 19804-2410, (3) AL-DRTC, 200 GBC Drive, Newark, DE 19702

MEDAL is the Air Liquide subsidiary responsible for manufacture of hollow fiber membranes, membrane bundles and complete system skids. MEDAL's core membrane technology is unique in the industry in that it is able to employ cheap polymers to provide structural support and a “relatively” expensive functional polymer to achieve gas separation

Since the 1980s, MEDAL focused on H2 recovery applications with its polyaramid product, a chemically robust and physically durable membrane product able to operate at high pressure. Polyimide products were developed in the 1990s to serve the N2 and inert gas generation market as well as the natural gas purification markets.

Recently, in response to low-sulfur regulations and increased need for hydroprocessing in refineries, Air Liquide has introduced a more productive H2 recovery product. Additionally, with higher energy prices, there are growing applications in landfill gas purification and under-balanced oil-field drilling.

This presentation will discuss the various topics outlined above.