A Study of Low‐Cost Kaolin and Rice Husk Ash Flat Ceramic Supports for Carbon Membrane Development
Thaís Martins Neves, João Pedro Weidlich Franco, Nilson Romeu Marcilio, Isabel Cristina TessaroABSTRACT
Inorganic membranes can be applied in processes occurring at high temperatures and pressures. Carbon membranes (CMs) possess molecular‐sized pores capable of selectively separating gases of similar molecular dimensions, such as CO 2 and CH 4 . These CMs are typically fabricated on commercial alumina ceramic substrates, which are costly. This study explores the use of kaolin, a natural and low‐cost material, and rice husk ash (RHA) to fabricate ceramic supports. The impact of varying RHA content on the properties of the supports was assessed. The supports obtained from kaolin and RHA exhibited the phases of mullite and cristobalite. The 90K10RHA support demonstrated lower surface roughness, enhanced mechanical strength, and superior gas permeation performance. Gas transport through the membranes prepared on kaolin–RHA supports was governed by Knudsen diffusion. Therefore, the membranes fabricated on low‐cost supports show promise for the separation of light gases and larger hydrocarbons.