Periodic Reporting for period 2 - MEASURED (MEMBRANE SCALE UP FOR CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES)
Reporting period: 2024-07-01 to 2025-06-30
In MEASURED, 3 membrane processes have been identified that can be scaled-up to TRL7 and make a difference in the chemical industry: (i) pervaporation (PV); (ii) gas separation (GS) and (iii) membrane distillation (MD). MEASURED specific objectives are:
- To develop at TRL7 three new generation membrane materials (ceramic, organic, carbon-based) for three different applications (pervaporation, membrane distillation, gas separation, respectively)
- To scale-up the synthesis process for the manufacture of the above mentioned membranes
- To evaluate cross-fertilization possibilities of the different membranes between the different cases of the project.
- to model at multiscale level the different membranes to guide the development activities and identify a TRL9 roadmap
- To develop three prototypes for the three technologies and test them at TRL7
- To develop a full LCA, LCC and Health and Safety Analysis (HSE) of MEASURED
- To pave the way for future exploitation of MEASURED Key Exploitable Results (KER) - To elaborate the business cases for the three technology lines
- To promote the dissemination and communication of MEASURED’s results and expand its impact
- To develop at TRL7 three new generation membrane materials (ceramic, organic, carbon-based) for three different applications (pervaporation, membrane distillation, gas separation, respectively)
- To scale-up the synthesis process for the manufacture of the above mentioned membranes
- To evaluate cross-fertilization possibilities of the different membranes between the different cases of the project.
- to model at multiscale level the different membranes to guide the development activities and identify a TRL9 roadmap
- To develop three prototypes for the three technologies and test them at TRL7
- To develop a full LCA, LCC and Health and Safety Analysis (HSE) of MEASURED
- To pave the way for future exploitation of MEASURED Key Exploitable Results (KER) - To elaborate the business cases for the three technology lines
- To promote the dissemination and communication of MEASURED’s results and expand its impact
WP1 Exploitation and business plan: Market and Stakeholder Analysis has been carried out based on the markets of the identified KERs in the three business cases (gas separation, pervaporation and membrane distillation). A mixed approach consisting of data-driven analysis and interviews with project external and internal players has been used. 12 KERs were identified.
WP2 Coordination: Overall administrative and contractual management of the period has been carried out including e.g. data management plan, templates, timely submission of official reporting. Project Technical Committee and General Assembly meetings took place regularly. Internal communication tool (Teams group) has been established and regular updates performed.
WP3 Membrane evaluation and scale-up:
- During the second reporting period, for MD line two parallel lines of activity were pursued to produce high-performance membranes using scalable methods: Development and scale-up (21 x 21 cm) of supported PGVL membranes (Proof of Concept parallel tests), functionalized with AFAS coating and prepared using GVL as a green solvent. Roll-to-roll industrial implementation of AFAS coating on commercial GVS membranes for the AGMD pilot, with validation through AGMD testing and aging protocols using industrial rinsing water
-For GS line characterization and testing of the third generation Al-CMSM for single and mixture gas permeation, the selection of the membranes for the prototype and the scale up of the membrane manufacturing process up to 50 cm length. Specifically, for the third generation of membranes, composite supported alumina carbon molecular sieve membranes (Al-CMSM) were prepared.
- For PV line, TNO and CTI have been working on the development and scaling up MC HybSi AR membranes. The primary selected membrane for demonstration phase of the MEASURED project was the MC Zirconia-HybSi AR membrane to be developed by CTI and as a backup option, the MC HybSi AR membrane developed by TNO using sequential coating approach was selected.
WP4 Engineering and construction: Detailed engineering and health and Safety analysis of the systems were carried out for PV and MD line. As there is uncertainty regarding the GS line of this deliverable. The initial objective of the Gas Separation (GS) demonstration was to connect the pilot system to the outlet of the methanation reactor at Engie’s Gaya platform, However, in M25, Engie decided to close the Gaya platform with immediate effect. An amendment request has been submitted.
WP5 Technology evaluation:This second reporting period was dedicated to exchange Data with WP3 and WP4 in order to integrate in the pilot conception for the three-demonstration line industrial constraints, SHE aspects, regulation rules and operating conditions with two benefits : a better design of the demonstration line and a clear indication of the connections, power and fluid supplies , Process Hazard Analysis and Implementation conditions.
WP6 Modelling: Task 6.1 aims at both studying the membrane properties and module design, on one hand, and at developing simplified modelling tools (Process Modelling Components, PMCs) to be later included into the process modelling environment (PME) to simulate the whole process and estimate energy consumptions, costs and environmental impact. These PMCs are called reduced order models, and their development represented the major focus of the RP2. In parallel to the model's development, EURECAT is working on task 6.2 for the environmental and social impact.
WP7 Dissemination and education: The project results, goals and expected impacts are disseminated and communicated to identified target groups, stakeholders and public audience, through participation to strategic events, website regular updates, Social media posts (LinkedIn, Twitter), press releases, newsletters, project video, promotional material (leaflet, poster and roll-up, public project presentation).
WP2 Coordination: Overall administrative and contractual management of the period has been carried out including e.g. data management plan, templates, timely submission of official reporting. Project Technical Committee and General Assembly meetings took place regularly. Internal communication tool (Teams group) has been established and regular updates performed.
WP3 Membrane evaluation and scale-up:
- During the second reporting period, for MD line two parallel lines of activity were pursued to produce high-performance membranes using scalable methods: Development and scale-up (21 x 21 cm) of supported PGVL membranes (Proof of Concept parallel tests), functionalized with AFAS coating and prepared using GVL as a green solvent. Roll-to-roll industrial implementation of AFAS coating on commercial GVS membranes for the AGMD pilot, with validation through AGMD testing and aging protocols using industrial rinsing water
-For GS line characterization and testing of the third generation Al-CMSM for single and mixture gas permeation, the selection of the membranes for the prototype and the scale up of the membrane manufacturing process up to 50 cm length. Specifically, for the third generation of membranes, composite supported alumina carbon molecular sieve membranes (Al-CMSM) were prepared.
- For PV line, TNO and CTI have been working on the development and scaling up MC HybSi AR membranes. The primary selected membrane for demonstration phase of the MEASURED project was the MC Zirconia-HybSi AR membrane to be developed by CTI and as a backup option, the MC HybSi AR membrane developed by TNO using sequential coating approach was selected.
WP4 Engineering and construction: Detailed engineering and health and Safety analysis of the systems were carried out for PV and MD line. As there is uncertainty regarding the GS line of this deliverable. The initial objective of the Gas Separation (GS) demonstration was to connect the pilot system to the outlet of the methanation reactor at Engie’s Gaya platform, However, in M25, Engie decided to close the Gaya platform with immediate effect. An amendment request has been submitted.
WP5 Technology evaluation:This second reporting period was dedicated to exchange Data with WP3 and WP4 in order to integrate in the pilot conception for the three-demonstration line industrial constraints, SHE aspects, regulation rules and operating conditions with two benefits : a better design of the demonstration line and a clear indication of the connections, power and fluid supplies , Process Hazard Analysis and Implementation conditions.
WP6 Modelling: Task 6.1 aims at both studying the membrane properties and module design, on one hand, and at developing simplified modelling tools (Process Modelling Components, PMCs) to be later included into the process modelling environment (PME) to simulate the whole process and estimate energy consumptions, costs and environmental impact. These PMCs are called reduced order models, and their development represented the major focus of the RP2. In parallel to the model's development, EURECAT is working on task 6.2 for the environmental and social impact.
WP7 Dissemination and education: The project results, goals and expected impacts are disseminated and communicated to identified target groups, stakeholders and public audience, through participation to strategic events, website regular updates, Social media posts (LinkedIn, Twitter), press releases, newsletters, project video, promotional material (leaflet, poster and roll-up, public project presentation).
MEASURED aims to increase the R&I maturity of the targeted membrane technologies (pervaporation, membrane distillation, and gas separation) with applications to acrylic ester production, waste water and waste gas produced in industrial processes, from current TRL 4-5 to TRL7. Expected results are:
- Pervaporation: Advanced hybrid silica membranes with improved H2O flux and surface area, stability, resistance to acid environment, efficient cleaning in place strategies, reduced costs. Final demonstration of 1 m2 of membrane in an industrial setting (ARKEMA industrial production of acrylic ester).
- Membrane distillation: Substitution of conventional toxic aprotic polar solvents with green ones with increased recovery factor of water/alcohol mixture, improved volumetric reduction factor and rejection of HBPS, stability against fouling (flux reduction < 10%); Membranes will be used to purify the wastewater stream coming from the manufacturing facility of PVDF membranes at GVS Spa (Bologna, Italy) treating 70 L/h, while renewable energy is supplied during the demonstration campaign.
- Gas separation: Supported Carbon Molecular Sieve Membranes with ideal selectivity H2/CH4 > 200 at room temperature; - Up-scale the production to multi-tubular membranes, optimized sealing technology. The membranes will be tested at ENGIE (GAYA plant) for separation of H2 from methanation off-gas for reaching the gas grid grade. The membrane area that will be installed in the Demo plant will be 1.2 m2;
- Pervaporation: Advanced hybrid silica membranes with improved H2O flux and surface area, stability, resistance to acid environment, efficient cleaning in place strategies, reduced costs. Final demonstration of 1 m2 of membrane in an industrial setting (ARKEMA industrial production of acrylic ester).
- Membrane distillation: Substitution of conventional toxic aprotic polar solvents with green ones with increased recovery factor of water/alcohol mixture, improved volumetric reduction factor and rejection of HBPS, stability against fouling (flux reduction < 10%); Membranes will be used to purify the wastewater stream coming from the manufacturing facility of PVDF membranes at GVS Spa (Bologna, Italy) treating 70 L/h, while renewable energy is supplied during the demonstration campaign.
- Gas separation: Supported Carbon Molecular Sieve Membranes with ideal selectivity H2/CH4 > 200 at room temperature; - Up-scale the production to multi-tubular membranes, optimized sealing technology. The membranes will be tested at ENGIE (GAYA plant) for separation of H2 from methanation off-gas for reaching the gas grid grade. The membrane area that will be installed in the Demo plant will be 1.2 m2;