from laboratory membranes – synthesis of tailor-made ... · synthesis of tailor-made polymers...
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FOR PEOPLE AND THEIR
FUTURE ENVIRONMENT
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Volker Abetz
Director
Phone: +49 4152 87-2461
Dr. Karin Kirstein
Assistant
Phone: +49 4152 87-1536
Polymer SynthesisDr. Volkan Filiz
Phone: +49 4152 87-2425
volkan.fi [email protected]
Material Characterisation and ProcessingPD Dr. Ulrich A. Handge
Phone: +49 4152 87-2446
Process EngineeringDr. Torsten Brinkmann
Phone: +49 4152 87-2400
Instrumental Structure AnalysisClarissa Abetz
Phone: +49 4152 87-2408
Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht
Centre for Materials and Coastal Research
Institute of Polymer Research
Max-Planck-Straße 1
21502 Geesthacht
Phone: +49 4152 87-0
www.hzg.de
http://polymerforschung.hzg.de
INSTITUTE OF POLYMER RESEARCH
Materials and technologies for membrane
processes for separation applications are the
focus of the research at the Institute of Polymer
Research of Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht.
Due to the interdisciplinary integration of natural
and engineering sciences, our research covers
the full spectrum from fundamental research to
industrial application.
The latest equipment and methods for the
synthesis, characterisation and processing of
polymers, as well as for membrane manufacture,
module development, design and modelling of
separation processes are the foundations of our
competence in the fi eld of membrane-based
separation technology. The Polymer and
Hydrogen Technology Centre will allow for an
optimised up-scaling of technologies and hence
foster their transfer into industrial application.
Our research activities are part of the programme
„Advanced Engineering Materials“ which is inte-
grated in the research fi eld „Key Technologies“ of
the Helmholtz Association. The institute has about
50 employees, a quarter of which are doctoral
students, who are educated in collaboration with
various universities.
INSTITUTE OF POLYMER RESEARCH
Membranes –
Materials and ProcessesMembrane Technology
Synthesis of Tailor-Made Polymers (Stimuli-Sensitive) Block Copolymers, Polymers of
Intrinsic Microporosity (PIM), Polyimides and Polyamides, Thermally Rearranged (TR)-Polymers
CharacterisationMechanics, Rheology, Thermal Analysis, Morphology,
Permeation Properties
Membrane ManufactureFlat Sheet Membranes, Hollow Fiber Membranes, Foam Extruded Membranes, Sintered Membranes
Process EngineeringModule Design, Process Design, Modelling,
Simulation, Piloting
to Industrial Application
From Laboratory
Synthesis of Tailor-Made Polymers
Different methods of polymer synthesis are systema-
tically employed to develop tailor-made polymers for
specific separation tasks.
Block Copolymersform highly ordered structures by self-assembly of
immiscible blocks. Our research aims at the optimisati-
on of the porous structures by specifically focusing on
methods to control the pore size and stimuli-sensitive
control of the pore properties. Membranes of block
copolymers are particularly promising for filtration of
aqueous systems.
Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity (PIM)consist of spatially contorted building blocks and the
resulting membranes combine extremely high permeabili-
ties with good selectivities. They possess a great potenti-
al for membranes in gas, vapour and liquid separation.
Thermally Rearranged Polymers (TR-Polymers)are formed by a thermal postmodification of specific
polymers. This leads to a rearrangement within the main
polymer chain and crosslinking.
The resulting change of free volume is very beneficial
for gas separation, since selectivity and permeability
can be increased simultaneously.
Mixed Matrix Membranesresult from a dispersion of inorganic filling material into
a polymer matrix. They feature an improved mechani-
cal stability as well as an increase of the mass transfer
efficiency.
Furthermore, additional functionalities, such as electrical or
magnetic properties, can be achieved by the modification
with nanoparticles. In order to overcome their tendency
to agglomerate, strategies are developed to disperse and
anchor them in the polymer matrix.
Structure-Property Relationships
Characterising our new or modified polymers, essential
knowledge is gained and structure-property relationships
are established, both contributing to the optimisation of
material development. Extensive mechanical, rheological,
dielectric and microscopic characterisation methods are
applied, for example, to study the mechanical properties
and physical ageing of membranes. Using rheological
measurements, important information concerning the flow
behaviour of polymers and polymer solutions is obtained,
which is of high relevance for membrane production. Using
microscopic methods, the structures of the fabricated
membranes are elucidated and changes and defects of
membranes after having been applied to separation tasks
are analysed.
These experimental methods are supported by modelling
and simulation efforts.
INSTITUTE OF POLYMER RESEARCH
From Laboratory to Industrial Application
Our long-standing expertise in the development of
membranes and membrane technology has led to a
variety of technical applications. Membrane technology
from Geesthacht is used in over 1,000 plants for the
recovery of organic vapours, e.g. in refineries, fuel
depots and filling stations.
Membrane Characterisationwith respect to separation performance (permeability
and selectivity), chemical and thermal resistance, as well
as mechanical stability allows the optimisation of new
membranes for specific separation tasks.
Membrane Manufacturein square meters scale can take place by a phase inversion
process on our own specially-designed membrane casting
machines.
In-house developed membrane coating units enable the
production of multi-layer thin film composite membranes.
This technology allows the fabrication of extremely thin
separation layers of different polymers and mixed-matrix
materials, ensuring a high degree of flexibility in membrane
development. Further research focuses on the manufac-
turing of polymer membranes by solvent-free processes,
for example, by foam extrusion and sintering of polymer
powders.
Equipment for the production of hollow fiber membranes
on laboratory scale complements the portfolio of
membrane fabrication.
Process Designcomprises the development of membrane-based separation
processes, encompassing the R&D pathway from process
synthesis and module development to pilot plant operation,
where the performance of novel membrane materials and
modules are tested under realistic operating conditions.
For these activities, modelling and simulation of membrane
modules and processes are of large importance for
ensuring a successful transfer into industrial application.
Applications of Membrane Technology
Separation of CO2 from process and exhaust gas
streams, e.g. bio- and flue gas
Separation of hydrogen
Separation of oxygen from nitrogen
Conditioning of natural gas and associated gas
Recovery of volatile organic compounds
Recovery of monomers in polymer production
Drying of gas streams
Organic solvent nanofiltration
Vapour permeation and pervaporation
Ultrafiltration of aqueous systems
Flat Sheet MembraneMaterial Characterisation Hollow Fiber MembraneMaterial Simulation Polymer Synthesis Module Design