Air Products Launches PRISM GreenSep LNG Membrane Separator

Air Products’ Membrane Solutions business released the PRISM GreenSep LNG membrane separator, which can be applied to bio-LNG production and increases yield, reduces operational expenses, and lowers energy consumption. The new membrane separator eliminates intermediate purification technologies, such as amine scrubbing and thermal swing adsorption, required to produce bio-LNG, which is liquefied biomethane derived from food, animal, or municipal waste.

“As a leading supplier of technology for the LNG industry, the PRISM GreenSep LNG membrane separator is an excellent addition to our catalogue of solutions for LNG producers,” said Dr. Erin Sorensen, General Manager, Air Products Membrane Solutions. “This technology will deliver a higher LNG yield at a lower operational cost, while also furthering our common goal of building a safer, cleaner, more productive world.”

The Membrane Solutions segment develops hollow fiber membrane separators and systems for onsite gas generation. Its PRISM membrane separators contain thousands of polymeric hollow fibers that serve as a molecular filter to isolate gases into singular elements, including methane, nitrogen, and hydrogen. This product portfolio serves aerospace, offshore drilling, food and beverage, transportation, and defense.

PRISM GreenSep LNG membrane separator; Image Credits: Air Products

The company will showcase the PRISM GreenSep LNG membrane separator at the BIOGAS AMERICAS conference in Savanah, GA. Rory Deledda, Biogas Product Manager at Air Products, will also host a session on the advantages of the technology for system designers at the conference.

Last week, Air Products’ AP-DMR process and equipment, deployed at the Coral South floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) plant in Mozambique, Africa, passed its performance test and achieved LNG production above 3.4 million tons per year. The dual-mixed refrigerant LNG process maintains a high efficiency, reliable operation, and has a compact footprint. Its process efficiency, in combination with aeroderivative machinery, lowers the carbon intensity in comparison to other LNG processes in floating applications.

“Having been selected to participate in this landmark project is a significant achievement and the first project to leverage our very efficient AP-DMR LNG process,” said Dr. John Palamara, General Manager – LNG at Air Products. “Our supplied equipment having successfully completed performance testing is the direct result of the expertise and experience of our team, from all areas of the LNG business, working in close collaboration and in support of TP JGC Coral France (the EPC joint venture of Technip Energies France SAS and JGC Corporation) executing the project and Coral FLNG S.A.”

Coral South FLNG represents the country’s first operating LNG project and the first deep-water FLNG project in Africa. Air Products previously participated in this project in 2013 with conceptual work, which allowed for the recent selection and implementation of its AP-DMR LNG process technology and equipment. In terms of supplied equipment, the company provided two coil-wound main cryogenic heat exchangers (CWHEs)—one for precooling and one for liquefaction.

In May 2023, Air Products inked an investment agreement worth $1 billion with the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Uzbekneftegaz JSC (UNG) to purchase, own, and operate a natural gas-to-syngas processing facility in Uzbekistan's Qashqadaryo Province. The plant produces 1.5 million tons annually of high-value synthetic fuels for domestic consumption and possible export.