Guangxi Dong

PhD Research Student

Contact Information: Room 808, Chemical Sciences Bldg The University of New South Wales Sydney, 2052, Australia Tel: +61-2-9385 4337 Fax: +61-2-9385 5966 E-mail: click here

• Master of business (Engineering), The University of Western Sydney, 2006
• Master of Engineering, The University of Sydney, 2005
• B. E. Chemical engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 2001

Asymmetric hollow fibers are the currently most prevalent form of gas separation membrane for high volume CO₂ removal purpose. They provide the largest membrane surface area to volume ratio (m²/m³) by being packed densely. Their cylindrical form and unique asymmetric structure (mainly the porous supporting layer) allow them to withstand a large pressure drop across membrane. And this asymmetric structure will also allow minimizing the thickness of the selective layer which eventually will increase the productivity.

This project will focus on the post-treatment of hollow fiber membranes. One of the largest challenges of polymeric membrane on natural gas purification application is the plasticization caused by strongly swelling penetrants such as CO₂ at elevated feed gas pressure. This work will focus on the proper post-treatment to increase the plasticization resistance while minimize the sacrifice of membrane performance due to this post-treatment. Annealing and polymer cross-linking will be investigated in this study. CO₂ permeance and CO₂/CH₄ selectivity will be studied at a variety of pressures and temperatures before and after the hollow fiber membranes being post-treated. Results will be presented to indicate the effects of the post-treatment.