The Need

Energy and chemical industries increasingly rely on hydrogen, natural gas, and syngas streams that require efficient removal of CO₂ and H₂S to meet purity and regulatory requirements. Conventional separation technologies (e.g., amine absorption, adsorption, cryogenic distillation) are energy-intensive and capital-heavy. Existing carrier-based membranes suffer from oxidative degradation at elevated temperatures, limiting durability and preventing use of low-cost air as a sweep gas in practical industrial applications.

The Technology

OSU engineers have developed a next-generation composite membrane incorporating oxidatively stable ionic carriers embedded within a crosslinked polymer matrix on a porous support. The design enables selective and facilitated transport of acid gases such as CO₂ and H₂S while maintaining structural integrity under harsh operating conditions. Unlike traditional systems, the membrane maintains performance even in oxygen-containing environments, enabling flexible process configurations. The technology has been validated at both laboratory and pilot scale, demonstrating consistent performance upon scale-up.

Commercial Applications

• Hydrogen purification from syngas for fuel cells and refining
• Natural gas and biogas upgrading (CO₂/H₂S removal)
• Post-combustion carbon capture from power plant flue gas
• Gas separation processes in petrochemical and chemical manufacturing

Benefits/Advantages

• Oxidative stability at elevated temperatures
• Compatibility with air as sweep gas
• Energy-efficient alternative
• Demonstrated scalability