Hybrid and Inorganic Membranes for CO2/H2 Separation Process

Concerning the carbon capture, today the best available coal gasification systems employ a two-stage physical-absorption method for H2S removal and CO2 capture. In the last decades, CO2 capture by membranes, both polymeric and inorganic, has constituted an option to the traditional processes. Although polymeric membranes are mainly applied in this field, many efforts have been recently done in the development of inorganic membranes, both porous and dense, and in membrane reactors utilization as well. In particular, hydrogen selective membrane reactors are able to produce high grade hydrogen and concentrate CO2 in the retentate stream at relatively lower costs and energy consumption than conventional pre-combustion CO2 capture processes. This chapter deals with a panoramic view about the inorganic membrane materials used in CO2 capture and the recent advancements on the hybrid membranes, discussing the advantages and drawbacks of this new field of application.