Fixed site carrier membranes (FSCM)

The project, which is a continuation of the CLIMIT project (KMB) “Clean Energy by using High Performance Membranes” (CEPEME), will verify that low pressure fixed site carrier (FSC) membranes can be used for CO₂ capture from typical power plant sources. This is done through further development of NTNU’s patented FSC membrane technology.

The membrane that is focused on is a composite membrane where the membrane itself is a very thin layer of polyvinylamine (PVAm), where the amine group is a “carrier” that contributes to CO₂ being transported quickly through the membrane when it is wet. This gives the membrane superior separation properties over a conventional polymer membrane.

The performance of the membrane material has been demonstrated by experiments in a laboratory scale pilot module. Very good separation properties were shown, and the membrane has very high selectivity for CO₂. Based on data from the pilot module and techno-economic assessments, the technology has shown a potential to reduce the cost of CO₂ capture on a commercial scale. In order to evaluate the potential further, there is a need to test the membrane under realistic process conditions. Therefore, a hollow fiber module should be built in a next project phase, and it is recommended that commercial suppliers be brought in as partners in the next development phase.