MOSCOW (MRC) -- Essen-based Evonik Industries, a leading specialty chemicals manufacturer, Evonik has developed a new hollow-fiber membrane for obtaining nitrogen from air, as per the company's press release.
In SEPURAN N2 Evonik Industries has developed a new hollow-fiber membrane for efficient separation of nitrogen from air. The advantages of this new technology over classical cryogenic air separation as well as current membrane processes are its greater flexibility and lower costs. It can be combined with existing systems, for example to meet peak demand, or directly connected to compressed air systems to supply nitrogen. In addition, Evonik’s SEPURAN N2 membranes offer a lower-cost solution than other membranes due to the high capacity and low air requirement. The new technology from Evonik has been on the market since early 2016.
As an inert gas of low reactivity, nitrogen is used as a protective gas in many sectors of industry; in the food industry or in the aerospace industry to inert the fuel tanks of planes and create a flame-resistant atmosphere. With a market share exceeding 40 percent, nitrogen has the highest market volume in the gas separation sector.
Goetz Baumgarten, who is responsible for global SEPURAN business in Evonik’s Resource Efficiency Segment, says: "With SEPURAN N2 we plan to extend our technology position in customized membrane gas-separation systems." The SEPURAN N2 hollow-fiber membrane at the heart of the technology consists of polyimide, a high-performance polymer that is highly chemically and thermally stable, and is produced by Evonik at its Lenzing (Austria) site.
Compared with other conventional membrane systems the new technology requires fewer modules and less air. A smaller compressor reduces investment costs as well as energy consumption and the modular structure means that the system can be used flexibly. Says Baumgarten: "SEPURAN N2 is efficient and flexible. This membrane module from Evonik is distinguished by low investment costs, very low operating costs, and low maintenance expenditure."
Currently, Evonik is expanding its Austrian site in Lenzing/Schorfling to double the existing production capacities for the hollow-fiber membrane modules of its SEPURAN brand. The production of additional membrane modules is projected to begin in late 2017.
We remind that, as MRC wrote before, in April 2015, Evonik Industries inaugurated a new application technology center for superabsorbent polymers in Krefeld, Germany. The company invested EUR1 million. The new facility strengthens the position of Evonik as an innovative solutions provider for superabsorbent polymers.
Evonik, the creative industrial group from Germany, is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. Its activities focus on the key megatrends health, nutrition, resource efficiency and globalization. Evonik benefits specifically from its innovative prowess and integrated technology platforms. Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world.
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