Natural gas and biogas have become increasingly popular sources of energy throughout the world in recent years, thanks to their cleaner and more efficient combustion process when compared to coal and oil.
Natural gas and biogas have become increasingly popular sources of energy throughout the world in recent years, thanks to their cleaner and more efficient combustion process when compared to coal and oil.
However, the presence of contaminants such as carbon dioxide within the gas means it must first be purified before it can be burnt as fuel.
Traditional processes to purify natural gas typically involve the use of toxic solvents and are extremely energy-intensive.
As a result, researchers have been investigating the use of membranes as a way to remove impurities from natural gas in a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly way but finding a polymer material that can separate gases quickly and effectively has so far proven a challenge.
Read more at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Image: MIT researchers have developed a new polymer membrane that can dramatically improve the efficiency of natural gas purification, while reducing its environmental impact. CREDIT: Chelsea Turner, MIT
