Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

This proposal aims the optimization of pressure swing adsorption (PSA) purification processes requiring the removal of nitrogen and carbon dioxide from gaseous hydrocarbon streams through the assessment of alternate adsorbent materials and the performance analysis of PSA cycles through validated thermodynamic modeling. Pressure swing adsorption is a leading commercial technology used to upgrade biogas into biomethane. For small and mid-size biogas plants, which are expected to play an important role in a distributed energy production infrastructure, PSA systems are more flexible, versatile and cost-effective compared to other gas separation methods. This proposal addresses core R&D issues of Xebec Inc, a Canadian company located in Blainville (Quebec). Xebec is one of the main developers and global suppliers of PSA systems for green energy production. Four applications are covered by this project, all of which require high performance materials with respect to nitrogen and carbon dioxide adsorption. These applications are: helium purification from natural gas streams, upgrading of biogas and landfill gas for natural gas compatibility, removal of hydrogen from gas streams used as source of hydrocarbons and purification of hydrogen for use in clean energy applications.