A review of recent advances in carbon dioxide absorption-stripping by employing a gas-liquid hollow fiber polymeric membrane contactor

Membrane contactors using microporous membranes for acid gas removal have been extensively reviewed and discussed. The microporous membrane acts as a fixed interface between the gas and the liquid phase without dispersing one phase into another that offers a flexible modular and energy-efficient device. The gas absorption process can offer a high selectivity and a high driving force for transport even at low concentrations. Using hollow fiber, gas-liquid membrane contactors are a promising alternative to conventional gas absorption systems for acid gas capture from gas streams. Important aspects of membrane contactor as an efficient energy device for acid gas removal including liquid absorbents, membrane characteristics, combination of membrane and absorbent, mass transfer, membrane modules, model development, advantages and disadvantages were critically discussed. In addition, current status and future potential in research and development of gas-liquid membrane contactors for acid gas removal were also briefly discussed. The most essential factors of membrane contactors for CO2 absorption/stripping are also discussed, including the hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of the absorption materials in the membranes, as well as other models published in the literature. The benefits and drawbacks of gas-liquid contactor membranes in CO2 absorption/stripping are also investigated, and the technique is compared to existing separation methods. The technology's present condition and potential directions are explored, as well as some recommendations for further study in order to commercialize.