Evonik, the world's leading specialty chemical company, is expanding its separation membrane business and has developed a membrane technology for the separation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which is marketed under the PuraMem® VOC brand.
PuraMem® VOC is a new polymer-based membrane technology that can effectively separate long-chain hydrocarbons from natural gas or nitrogen mixtures. The membrane module of this volume design has been optimized and can be used in special applications such as natural gas purification treatment, oil tank area emission control, and chemical processes. Different from other separation membranes, this technology can maintain high selectivity for a long time under harsh operating environments.
PuraMem® VOC separates the mixed gas according to the molecular size of the substance to be separated: the mixed gas can pass through the separation membrane at a pressure of up to 80 bar, the larger VOC molecules pass through the separation membrane, and the smaller gas molecules are retained. At present, Evonik has realized the adjustment of key separation characteristics and selectivity at the polymer level.
Realize the backward integration of raw material supply to production
Evonik is the only highly selective separation membrane manufacturer in the world that realizes the integration from raw material supply to production. "Backward integration is an important driving force for innovation." Dr. Goetz Baumgarten, head of the field of innovation and growth of Evonik's separation membranes, emphasized. "Thanks to the accumulation of deep expertise in the field of polymer chemistry, we can adjust the performance of the separation membrane during the development stage of the basic material (high-performance polymer), so as to produce a product that can withstand extreme pressures, extreme temperatures, and strong Durable and highly selective separation membrane."
PuraMem® VOC is specially designed to be flexibly integrated into the infrastructure of existing systems. The PuraMem® VOC module adopts a standard diameter of 8 inches (approximately 20.3 cm), combined with flexible gaskets or integrated Kwik flange adapters, and can be easily embedded in existing system devices or replaced.
Innovation leader in separation membrane technology
"PuraMem® VOC consolidates Evonik's position as an innovation driver in the field of volatile matter membrane separation and liquid membrane separation technology. With its outstanding creativity, Evonik has become a global market for separation membrane technology in less than ten years. We will continue to increase the product range to help customers purchase products from the same channel and exert technological synergy.” said Dr. Iordanis Savvopoulos, head of Evonik`s fiber, foam and separation membrane product line.
In 2011, Evonik launched its first separation membrane product-SEPURAN® Green separation membrane for biogas purification, which laid the foundation for the development of separation membrane business. Subsequently, Evonik introduced separation membranes for purification of nitrogen, helium, hydrogen and natural gas, as well as nanofiltration membrane applications. At present, more than 500 system devices around the world are equipped with Evonik's separation membranes, which are produced by Evonik's Schulflin site in Austria. The new high-performance polymer separation membrane is produced by the neighboring Lenzing base.