CONVENIENT SUBSTANCE-RECOVERY SYSTEM AND PROCESS

摘要

A polar-substance-permselective membrane includes a porous support and an active-membrane material. The active-membrane material fills the pores of the porous support to render the support substantially impermeable to non-polar gases at a moderate pressure gradient (e.g., at least 70 kPa) when the hydrophilic active-membrane material is wet. In a particular embodiment the membrane is water-permselective and the active-membrane material is hydrophilic. Water-recovery system and processes utilizing these water-permselective membranes can be used to selectively remove water from hot gas streams at the feed side, and collect water at the permeate side with extremely high energy efficiency. The membrane is particularly useful for in-situ extraction of water molecules directly from hot exhaust streams. The produced steam, or steam and air mixtures can be used as a feedstock in the process of converting liquid hydrocarbons into hydrogen-rich gas streams.