FOR PEOPLE AND THEIR

FUTURE ENVIRONMENT

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Volker Abetz

Director

Phone: +49 4152 87-2461

volker.abetz@hzg.de

Dr. Karin Kirstein

Assistant

Phone: +49 4152 87-1536

karin.kirstein@hzg.de

Polymer SynthesisDr. Volkan Filiz

Phone: +49 4152 87-2425

volkan.fi liz@hzg.de

Material Characterisation and ProcessingPD Dr. Ulrich A. Handge

Phone: +49 4152 87-2446

ulrich.handge@hzg.de

Process EngineeringDr. Torsten Brinkmann

Phone: +49 4152 87-2400

torsten.brinkmann@hzg.de

Instrumental Structure AnalysisClarissa Abetz

Phone: +49 4152 87-2408

clarissa.abetz@hzg.de

Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht

Centre for Materials and Coastal Research

Institute of Polymer Research

Max-Planck-Straße 1

21502 Geesthacht

Phone: +49 4152 87-0

www.hzg.de

http://polymerforschung.hzg.de

INSTITUTE OF POLYMER RESEARCH

Materials and technologies for membrane

processes for separation applications are the

focus of the research at the Institute of Polymer

Research of Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht.

Due to the interdisciplinary integration of natural

and engineering sciences, our research covers

the full spectrum from fundamental research to

industrial application.

The latest equipment and methods for the

synthesis, characterisation and processing of

polymers, as well as for membrane manufacture,

module development, design and modelling of

separation processes are the foundations of our

competence in the fi eld of membrane-based

separation technology. The Polymer and

Hydrogen Technology Centre will allow for an

optimised up-scaling of technologies and hence

foster their transfer into industrial application.

Our research activities are part of the programme

„Advanced Engineering Materials“ which is inte-

grated in the research fi eld „Key Technologies“ of

the Helmholtz Association. The institute has about

50 employees, a quarter of which are doctoral

students, who are educated in collaboration with

various universities.

INSTITUTE OF POLYMER RESEARCH

Membranes –

Materials and ProcessesMembrane Technology

Synthesis of Tailor-Made Polymers (Stimuli-Sensitive) Block Copolymers, Polymers of

Intrinsic Microporosity (PIM), Polyimides and Polyamides, Thermally Rearranged (TR)-Polymers

CharacterisationMechanics, Rheology, Thermal Analysis, Morphology,

Permeation Properties

Membrane ManufactureFlat Sheet Membranes, Hollow Fiber Membranes, Foam Extruded Membranes, Sintered Membranes

Process EngineeringModule Design, Process Design, Modelling,

Simulation, Piloting

to Industrial Application

From Laboratory

Synthesis of Tailor-Made Polymers

Different methods of polymer synthesis are systema-

tically employed to develop tailor-made polymers for

specific separation tasks.

Block Copolymersform highly ordered structures by self-assembly of

immiscible blocks. Our research aims at the optimisati-

on of the porous structures by specifically focusing on

methods to control the pore size and stimuli-sensitive

control of the pore properties. Membranes of block

copolymers are particularly promising for filtration of

aqueous systems.

Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity (PIM)consist of spatially contorted building blocks and the

resulting membranes combine extremely high permeabili-

ties with good selectivities. They possess a great potenti-

al for membranes in gas, vapour and liquid separation.

Thermally Rearranged Polymers (TR-Polymers)are formed by a thermal postmodification of specific

polymers. This leads to a rearrangement within the main

polymer chain and crosslinking.

The resulting change of free volume is very beneficial

for gas separation, since selectivity and permeability

can be increased simultaneously.

Mixed Matrix Membranesresult from a dispersion of inorganic filling material into

a polymer matrix. They feature an improved mechani-

cal stability as well as an increase of the mass transfer

efficiency.

Furthermore, additional functionalities, such as electrical or

magnetic properties, can be achieved by the modification

with nanoparticles. In order to overcome their tendency

to agglomerate, strategies are developed to disperse and

anchor them in the polymer matrix.

Structure-Property Relationships

Characterising our new or modified polymers, essential

knowledge is gained and structure-property relationships

are established, both contributing to the optimisation of

material development. Extensive mechanical, rheological,

dielectric and microscopic characterisation methods are

applied, for example, to study the mechanical properties

and physical ageing of membranes. Using rheological

measurements, important information concerning the flow

behaviour of polymers and polymer solutions is obtained,

which is of high relevance for membrane production. Using

microscopic methods, the structures of the fabricated

membranes are elucidated and changes and defects of

membranes after having been applied to separation tasks

are analysed.

These experimental methods are supported by modelling

and simulation efforts.

INSTITUTE OF POLYMER RESEARCH

From Laboratory to Industrial Application

Our long-standing expertise in the development of

membranes and membrane technology has led to a

variety of technical applications. Membrane technology

from Geesthacht is used in over 1,000 plants for the

recovery of organic vapours, e.g. in refineries, fuel

depots and filling stations.

Membrane Characterisationwith respect to separation performance (permeability

and selectivity), chemical and thermal resistance, as well

as mechanical stability allows the optimisation of new

membranes for specific separation tasks.

Membrane Manufacturein square meters scale can take place by a phase inversion

process on our own specially-designed membrane casting

machines.

In-house developed membrane coating units enable the

production of multi-layer thin film composite membranes.

This technology allows the fabrication of extremely thin

separation layers of different polymers and mixed-matrix

materials, ensuring a high degree of flexibility in membrane

development. Further research focuses on the manufac-

turing of polymer membranes by solvent-free processes,

for example, by foam extrusion and sintering of polymer

powders.

Equipment for the production of hollow fiber membranes

on laboratory scale complements the portfolio of

membrane fabrication.

Process Designcomprises the development of membrane-based separation

processes, encompassing the R&D pathway from process

synthesis and module development to pilot plant operation,

where the performance of novel membrane materials and

modules are tested under realistic operating conditions.

For these activities, modelling and simulation of membrane

modules and processes are of large importance for

ensuring a successful transfer into industrial application.

Applications of Membrane Technology

Separation of CO2 from process and exhaust gas

streams, e.g. bio- and flue gas

Separation of hydrogen

Separation of oxygen from nitrogen

Conditioning of natural gas and associated gas

Recovery of volatile organic compounds

Recovery of monomers in polymer production

Drying of gas streams

Organic solvent nanofiltration

Vapour permeation and pervaporation

Ultrafiltration of aqueous systems

Flat Sheet MembraneMaterial Characterisation Hollow Fiber MembraneMaterial Simulation Polymer Synthesis Module Design