Helium Recovery by Membrane-based Purification Process: A Comparative Investigation and Energy Based Analysis
摘要
The performance of a membrane-based gas separation process has been assessed with various operating parameters. To this end, complete mixing and counter current models were deployed in the case of helium recovery from a binary mixture with methane. For design purposes, the predicted results of the two models were compared and assessed thoroughly according to various parameters. Feed concentration, pressure difference and flow rate have shown significant impacts on permeate purity, required membrane area and theoretical energy consumption. For instance, the required membrane area could be reduced largely when permeate side operated under vacuum pressure of 0.6 bar. It is also revealed that theoretical energy consumption decreases as inlet helium concentration increases to 10%. Finally, it is found that He recovery ratio has a potential impact on total investment cost of the process.