Hollow fiber membrane contactor absorption of CO2 from the flue gas: Review and perspective

With the aggravation of the unprecedented greenhouse effect, the reduction of greenhouse gases which mainly consist of CO₂ has caught high attention by global scholars. The membrane absorption of CO₂ from the flue gas seems a promising alternative to conventional absorption methods like chemical absorption. In this article, the principles of the membrane absorption process were discussed. The research development and current status of CO₂ capture in flue gas using a hollow fiber membrane contactor were reviewed. The affecting factors included the membrane structure and material, module connection form, gas and liquid flow pattern and absorbent. Also, these factors that affected the separation performance of mass transfer processes, as well as the mass transfer coefficients and models for CO₂ absorption were critically discussed in the tube side, shell side and membrane. Also, an experiment system for CO₂ absorption in a membrane contactor was dipicted. The modeling works were validated with experimental results. Additionally, the deficiencies of present development in membrane gas absorption of acid gases and recommendations for future pilot-scale applications were proposed.