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A modified plastic material greatly improves the ability to separate global warming-linked carbon dioxide from natural gas as the gas is prepared for use, according to engineers at The University of Texas at Austin who have analyzed the new plastic’s performance with colleagues in Australia and Korea. |
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Photo at left: (from left to right): Dr. Ho Bum Park, postdoctoral fellow, Elizabeth Van Wagner, graduate research assistant, and Dr. Benny Freeman, chemical engineering professor, pose in front of a mixed-gas permeation system. The instruments test new membranes in gas streams containing mixtures of carbon dioxide and methane. Van Wagner holds a permeation cell, which is used to measure the permeability of gases in membranes. |
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Photo at left: Freeman holds a sample of the new membrane material found to greatly improve the ability to separate global warming-linked carbon dioxide from natural gas as the gas is prepared for use. The new membrane's capabilities will be reported in the Oct. 12 issue of Science. |
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Image at left: This new polymer membrane mimics naturally occurring pores found within cell membranes. The unique hourglass shape effectively separates molecules based on their shape. Separation is more efficient, requiring less energy. Applications include water and gas purification. The separation of carbon dioxide (gray and red) from methane (gray and white) is illustrated. Watch a video demonstration. |
