Energy Studies, Volume 13, Number 2, November/December 1987 Page: 2
4 p. : ill.View a full description of this periodical.
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8 : 1~ Q 2-:
group has been investigating a num-
ber of polymer types-polyimides,
polycarbonates, polysulfones, poly-
olefins, and cellulose acetates-and
methods for chemically modifying
them, such as carboxylation and
fluorination.
Different polymers seem to be re-
quired for optimum separaton of dif-
ferent gas pairs. For example, some
new polyimides offer the best
possibilities for separating carbon
dioxide and methane, a process
potentially useful in tertiary oil recov-
ery. A substituted polycarbonate is
currently the best candidate for
separating oxygen from nitrogen. A
commercial poly ether imide is attrac-
tive for helium and methane separa-
tions.
"The real value of the research
goes considerably beyond the spe-
cific polyimides themselves. We've
carried out a careful, systematic study
of which factors tend to change the
permeability and selectivity in a
polymer," said Dr. Paul. The research-
ers' goal is a framework of reliable
principles for predicting membrane
performance.
Most membranes used in actual
separations processes resemble
milky white pieces of cellophane.
Each membrane is cast so that two
layers are formed. The thick layer is a
porous support about 100 microns
thick, and the thin skin, which doesthe work and is the true membrane, is
only one-hundredth as thick.
The researchers have developed a
method for conditioning gas
membranes to improve their produc-
tivity and have tested it successfully
on several types of membranes. The
university has applied for a US patent
on the technique.
* 1 4
C4
Ih
Because of its web/ike structure and uniform
pore size, the top polypropylene membrane is
stronger than the bottom one and a better
separator for microfiltration of liquids.Future research will continue in
these areas and expand into two new
areas: ceramic membranes and
polymer barriers, a cousin of
membranes. Polymers with good bar-
rier properties are needed for exam-
ple in food packaging so that a soft
drink remains carbonated or so that
the fresh smell of a food is not stolen
by its wrapping.
While the work of Drs. Koros and
Paul deals with separating gases, Dr.
Lloyd is investigating ways to manu-
facture membranes for separating liq-
uid mixtures. His liquids separations
work is sponsored by the Separations
Research Program, 3M, and the Na-
tional Science Foundation.
Dr. Lloyd said his goal also is to
develop a more fundamental under-
standing of how membranes form, by
mapping the factors that affect it.
Much of Dr. Lloyd's work involves
crystalline polymers, used today in
microfiltration, ultrafiltration, diaper
linings, skin grafts, controlled-release
medicines.
A method of making crystalline
polymers has been developed by 3M
and Enka in which the membrane
polymer is mixed with a diluent and
heated and cooled while being cast
as a thin membrane sheet. Crystalline
polymers, unlike most other
membrane materials, are able to with-
stand contact with organic solvents
and temperatures of 100 C (2120 F)
and higher, Dr. Lloyd said.EUT Austin Energy
41-Mile Gas Pipeline Saves the principal benefits of the pipeline
UT $6 Million a Year are lower natural gas prices, a lifetime
contract for the transportation of nat -A cost-reduction measure by The
University of Texas at Austin has won
an award in a competition sponsored
by the National Association of College
and University Business Officers and
the US Steel Foundation, Inc.
UT Austin received an award for its
construction of a natural gas pipeline,
which is saving the university $6 mil-
lion annually.
Having recently found out that it
was not required to purchase its natu-
ral gas from a local utility company,
the university reached an agreement
with a pipeline transportation firm and
a natural gas supplier to construct a
41-mile pipeline directly to the cam-
pus heating and power plant.
According to G. Charles Franklin,
UT vice-president for business affairs,V
ral gas from the most competitive
source, and guaranteed pressure in
the pipeline.E0
7I
4 It?Louis Zschiesche of the Utilities Division adjusts a valve on the university s natural gas pipeline,
which recently won a national award.
20
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0
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University of Texas at Austin. Center for Energy Studies. Energy Studies, Volume 13, Number 2, November/December 1987, periodical, December 1987; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1032635/m1/2/: accessed July 10, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.