Membrane Removal of VOCs from Entrained Air Streams Phase 2
Project Number: NT.2202
POC: Matt Rothgeb, (321-867-8476)
matthew.j.rothgeb@nasa.gov
Rusty
McLaughlin, (321-867-3351)
russell.l.mclaughlin@nasa.gov
Background
Federal and local regulations
continue to reduce the allowable level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that
can be emitted into the atmosphere. This can affect whether or not new or
modified operations receive permits. It also impacts NASA remediation
activities that generate VOCs as pollutants are removed from soils and
groundwater.
Technologies currently used
within process lines and remediation sites to capture, destroy or otherwise
reduce VOC stack emissions include catalytic oxidizers, thermal regenerative
oxidizers, carbon adsorption / solvent recovery, hybrid concentrators and gas
turbine oxidizers to name a few. Recently, developments have been made in the
world of semi-permeable membranes that can allow for the separation and capture
of VOCs from entrained air-streams.
Hollow fiber-based vapor
permeation process employs a lumen-side feed flow essentially at atmospheric
pressure and vacuum on the shell side. The excellent separation performance
obtained with small membrane modules has inspired the exploration of the
performances of larger commercial-size hollow fiber cartridges and multiple
cartridge-containing modules for treating real-life VOC-containing gas streams.
Results from two pilot-scale
studies showed that more than 95% of the VOC present in the feed was
successfully removed in each process. The pilot studies focused on the emission
from a batch reactor in a pharmaceutical plant (emitting 2.5% toluene, 4% ethyl
acetate and 14% methanol at a rate of 10-80 l/m) and the air emissions from a
paint booth (emitting very low levels of VOCs in the 5-100 ppmv range.
This novel membrane technology is capable of removing
up to 98% of VOCs from nearly any entrained air stream. VOCs can then be
captured and condensed into a liquid that may be recycled or reused.
Objective
Demonstrate and validate the novel membrane
technology at two to three NASA Centers and on the widest variety of air streams
possible. Determine efficiency, return on investment of potential
implementation, and the best potential processes for implementation.
Period of Performance
Stakeholders
The initial test site for this scaled-up test was
a jet-fuel remediation site at Wallops Flight Facility. Future test sites
continue to be identified for further testing both in the United States of
America and Portugal.
Benefits
- Dramatic reduction of VOCs to the atmosphere (>90%)
- Reduction of the public’s exposure to hazardous materials
- Cost savings over thermal oxidation and conventional membrane technologies
- Decreased carbon dioxide footprint over VOC destruction technologies that utilize fossil fuels
- Small footprint of technology over other methods to capture / destroy VOCs. Compact devices allow
for point of use application
- Moderate capital cost, low operational cost
- Reduction of environmental footprint, moving toward sustainability.
·
Document Status
- Draft Field Test Plan – Complete – February 2008
- Draft final report - Complete - November 2008
·
Milestones
- Completed the fabrication of membrane fibers, January 2007.
- Completed laboratory testing at New Jersey Institute of Technology
and simulations of Wallops Flight Facility, May 2007.
- Completed the fabrication of modules to house fibers, May 2007.
- Completed
face-to-face and 85% design review of test platform, June 2007.
- Completed Initial assembly of platform, July 2007.
- Completed construction of platform dry-run testing, July 2007.
- Shipped equipment to Wallops Flight Facility, August 2007.
- Completed initial testing at Wallops Flight Facility, October 2007.
- Finished Secondary testing at Wallops Flight Facility, March 2008.
- All equipment was shipped to AMT – October
2008.
- Completed draft final report – November
2008.
- Final Report is completed and Export Control approval for posting -
April, 2009.
- Continued to identify potential NASA Stakeholders and provide testing at
AMT to satisfy needs.
- New effort (Second Phase) to perform comparative analysis of previously
tested membrane to newly developed membrane at WFF and other sites as well
as the effects of various oils as additives to cartridges (lab).
·
+ Reports
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