Comparison of membrane separation and membrane absorption: what are their respective advantages and disadvantages?

Reply to 1# Tory1987: Membrane absorption technology is a membrane-based process that combines membrane technology with gas absorption technology; it typically uses hydrophobic microporous hollow fiber membranes to separate the gas from the absorption liquid. The available materials for hydrophobic microporous membranes used to separate gas and liquid phases are diverse, including polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polypropylene, and others. Compared with traditional absorption towers, CO2 capture using membrane absorption allows for independent control of the flow rates in both the gas and liquid phases over a wide range. It also features a large gas-liquid contact area, resulting in lower energy consumption, while preventing phenomena such as flooding, mist entrainment, channeling, and bubbling. Furthermore, membrane absorption technology is more suitable for the recovery and reuse of CO2 from flue gases from coal-fired power plants. The CO2 recovered using this technology has a high purity, exceeding 95%, and can be utilized in industries such as food and pharmaceuticals, thereby creating greater economic value and social benefits for society. Membrane separation technology relies on pressure to effect separation, taking advantage of the differences in the adsorption capacity of various components in a gas on the surface of polymer membranes, as well as the differences in their dissolution and diffusion within the membrane – that is, the differences in permeation rates. It has now become a relatively mature process technology and is widely used in the separation and concentration of many gases. In industrially developed countries, this is referred to as \"creative technology for resources.\" Currently, there are mainly two processing methods: the positive pressure method and the negative pressure method. The former is suitable for situations where both oxygen and nitrogen are used, or where a high oxygen concentration is required. As early as the early 1980s, many developed countries invested substantial resources in researching membrane-based oxygen enrichment technology; Japan in particular, with its Ministry of International Trade and Industry, funded 7 companies and research institutions including Asahi Glass to participate in the \"Research Group on Membrane-Based Oxygen-Enriched Combustion Technology.\" Due to energy shortages, nearly 20 companies in Japan have successively introduced membrane-based oxygen enrichment systems.

Membrane separation: 1. It enables the formation of true solutions, resulting in good product stability； 2. High yield in filtration and separation ； 3. Good separation effect, high product quality, and low operating costs ； 4. Shorten the production cycle and reduce production costs ； 5. No chemical reagents or solvents are required during the process, and no secondary pollutants are introduced ； 6. Easy to operate, occupies little space, and has low labor costs ； 7. It has good scalability, making it easy to meet the demands for industrial-scale expansion ； 8. The equipment can operate automatically, features good stability, and is easy to maintain. Membrane absorption: It is a new type of gas absorption device with advantages such as high absorption efficiency, corrosion resistance, no scaling, light weight, long service life, and easy maintenance.