Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: An Innovative Transport Membrane Condenser for Water Recovery From Gas and Its Reuse
EPA Contract Number: EPD07053Title: An Innovative Transport Membrane Condenser for Water Recovery From Gas and Its Reuse
Investigators: Liu, Paul K.T.
Small Business: Media and Process Technology Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: March 1, 2007 through August 31, 2007
Project Amount: $69,964
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2007) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Water and Wastewater , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
Although water recycle and reuse is considered good environmental practice, its implementation is highly dependent upon the economics and therefore can be challenging to implement. An example is the recovery of low-quality heat as water condensate from industrial flue gases. In this case, tremendous quantities of energy and water are lost out of the stack in the United States today because no conventional condensing technology is economically viable. In this project, Media and Process Technology, Inc., presents a unique technology/process—the Transport Membrane Condenser (TMC)—to recover water with concomitant energy recovery from low-quality industrial emissions. As a specific example, industrial boilers account for approximately 35 percent of U.S. industrial energy consumption. It is estimated that approximately 70 billion gallons of water per year are available in the combustion flue gas generated from these boilers. TMC technology can be used to recover the water vapor and energy from this flue gas for boiler feedwater makeup. Prior to the Phase I submission, the technical feasibility for high purity water recovery from the flue gas with concomitant heat recovery was demonstrated. However, its payback period exceeded the targeted 1 year set by the commercialization partner. The Phase I project focused on demonstrating the potential to meet the target via membrane cost reduction and/or the functional performance improvement.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
During Phase I, avenues for cost reduction and performance enhancement with the modification of existing commercial membranes have been identified and evaluated using a bench-top unit that simulated the flue gas environment. The performance from each membrane candidate was determined using a bench-top evaluation unit. A 60 percent reduction was achieved in capital cost of the TMC element via significant enhancement of the membrane efficiency, and reduction in the production costs.
Conclusions:
This reduction potential resulting from the membrane cost reduction/performance efficiency improvement exceeded the 33 to 50 percent reduction necessary to deliver a 1-year capital payback as required by the company’s commercialization partner. Media and Processing Technology, Inc., recommends the development of this modified membrane, verification of its functional performance in a finalized module configuration, and development of membrane manufacturing while assisting commercialization partners in preparing the technology/product/system for field demonstration as Phase II activities. The successful completion of this proposed Phase II project will produce a commercially viable “true” green process for water conservation and reuse combined with significant energy savings. In addition, several new applications have been identified during Phase I using a similar transport membrane condenser technology.
Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, EPA, water and wastewater management, water recycle, water reuse, water recovery, water conservation, energy recovery, CO2 reduction, flue gas, condenser, transport membrane condenser, membranes,, Sustainable Industry/Business, RFA, Scientific Discipline, POLLUTION PREVENTION, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Chemical Engineering, Sustainable Environment, Energy, water conservation, combustion gas stream, emission reduction, energy conservation, energy efficiency, air pollution controlSBIR Phase II:
An Innovative Transport Membrane Condenser Water Recovery from Flue Gas and its Reuse | Final ReportThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.