Hollow fibers with encapsulated ionic liquid for gas dehydration

Membrane technology is a viable alternative for achieving energy savings and sustainability, particularly in dehydration applications. The selective removal of water vapor from gas mixtures by membranes enhances the process efficiency furthermore the industry increasingly prioritizes resource conservation and environmental impact, advancements in membrane technology are crucial for meeting these goals and driving progress toward a sustainable future. Our approach consists of the incorporation of a proline amino acid-based ionic liquid encapsulated in carbon capsules, dispersed in a Pebax®1657 matrix, and coated on polyetherimide hollow fibers . The filled capsules have high sorption capacity for both water vapor and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) contributing for successful exploration for air dehumidification , as well as flue gas , natural gas and biogas dehydration. The membranes had exceptional water vapor permeance, reaching values up to approximately 10,000 GPU while maintaining an H 2 O/N 2 selectivity of around 124,000. CO 2 /N 2 selectivity as high as 100 and promising results for CH 4 purification were demonstrated. Long-term studies using alternative modules to prevent saturation of the encapsulated capsules with water vapor and effective regeneration have been proven. • Hollow fibers coated with encapsulated amino acid. • CO 2 /N 2 = 100 with wet mixed gas testing. • Membranes for air dehumidification and dehydration of natural gas. • Water vapor permeance of 10,000 GPU with H 2 O/N 2 selectivity of 124,000. • Evaluation for flue gas and biogas-relevant gas separations.