LTMEMBRANE (NO3.5b)

SINTEF LTMembrane in Tiller is dedicated to testing and verification of membranes for separation of gases at realistic and harsh conditions for advanced stages of development, usually higher TRL (Technology Readiness Level) or near commmecial or commercial stages and even for lab scale stage membrane research.

Taking good advantage of SINTEF's infrastructure in Tiller CO2Lab, real flue gas containing various impurites such as NOx, SOx, etc. from a gas burner or a biomass/coal burner can be supplied for CO₂ separation test by membranes. The supply gas composition and membrane gas separation test conditions can be flexibly adjusted for customer's request (1 - 2 m³/hr, 4 - 45 % CO₂ , up to 70 ^oC and ca. 4 bara). This "mini-pilot" scale test facility makes it possible to verify membranes (modules) without risking high budget by directly progressing high cost & time consuming pilot stage development.

At SINTEF's explosion proof facility (Safety cell building), membrane gas permeation tests at harsh conditions can be performed such as high CO₂ or CH₄/C₂H₆ content (up to 90%), high pressure (up to 60-90 bar), and high temperature (up to 90 °C). Based on the obtained results, further scaling-up tests can be performed with the help of SINTEF's pilot infra and experienced experts and technicians.

The LTMembrane facility is located in SINTEF Tiller where experienced scientists and highly skilled technicians are available with state-of-the-art installations (in-house real height solvent CO₂ absorption tower test facility with gas burner and biofuel/coal burner, explosion proof building with safety cells, high pressure gas reservoir tank (about max. 100 bar, 14 m³) to supply gases for pilot scale testing, etc.). Besides, more standard laboratories in SINTEF and NTNU are available where a number of GC, MS and IR gas analysers are available, if needed.

SINTEF has implemented and maintains a quality management system which fulfils the requirements of the standard NS-EN ISO 9001:2008 within research and development in materials technology, advanced materials and nanotechnology, applied chemistry and biotechnology, oil and gas, and green energy and process industry.

As explained above, all the installations have unique features. The LTMembrane facility provides advanced experimental techniques with automatic control and monitoring systems and offers a variety of experience and know-how from SINTEF experts. The permeation experiments can be conducted under realistic conditions at low to high temperatures, low to high pressures, and with various gas sources including synthetic mixtures and various real flue gases.

SINTEF experts, not only within the membrane technology field but also from various fields, together with highly skilled technicians, can offer cooperation for testing and anlaysis of membrane materials for gas permeation at various conditions to produce high quality data with deep review of the obtained results as well as further progress plans.