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Technology

A membrane cartridge separates gas into two continuous streams. Inside, crystal pores of a fixed size act as molecular sieves. The material class, metal-organic frameworks, received the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Document UniSieve Handbook, TechnologyRevision Nov 2026Patented membrane technology

1Membrane cartridge

The cartridge is the core component. Feed gas enters, a pressure difference splits it into permeate and retentate, and both leave continuously. There are no regeneration cycles, so no steam, no chillers and no solvent loop.

Crystal pores

Aperture set by the crystal structure, not by a polymer's free volume.

Continuous

Two steady streams, no batch switching or regeneration.

No chemicals

No amine, no solvent make-up, no waste solvent to handle.

Containerised

Delivered as a skid or container, validated on demanding process gas.

2Cross-section

Three layers do the work. The selective layer separates, the support carries the load, and the pressure difference provides the driving force.

Cross-section of a UniSieve membrane Feed gas at high pressure flows over a selective layer of MOF or zeolite crystals. Molecules smaller than the pore aperture pass through the crystals and the porous support into the permeate side. Larger molecules are retained and continue as the retentate stream. ΔP Feed gasmixed stream, higher pressure Retained moleculescontinue as retentate Selective layerMOF or zeolite crystals,pore aperture tuned per stream Porous supportmechanical strength, low resistance Permeatemolecules smaller than the pore FEED SIDEPERMEATE SIDE
Fig. 2.1 Membrane cross-section, schematic, not to scaleLayer thicknesses on request

3Selectivity by size

Many separations that need a distillation column are between molecules a fraction of an ångström apart. A crystal pore can sit inside that gap. UniSieve tunes the crystal to each separation challenge.

Kinetic diameters of common process gasesHydrogen 2.89, carbon dioxide 3.30, nitrogen 3.64, methane 3.80, ethylene 3.90, propane 4.30 and propylene 4.50 angstrom. An example pore window around 3.5 angstrom passes hydrogen and carbon dioxide and retains the rest. EXAMPLE PORE WINDOW H₂ 2.89 ÅCO₂ 3.30 ÅN₂ 3.64 ÅCH₄ 3.80 ÅC₂H₄ 3.90 ÅC₃H₈ 4.30 ÅC₃H₆ 4.50 Å2.63.03.43.84.24.6kinetic diameter, Å
Fig. 3.1 Kinetic diameters of common process gases. Pore window shown for illustration onlyLiterature values (Breck, 1974)

4Compared methods

DistillationAmine scrubbingPolymer membraneUniSieve sieving
Separates byBoiling pointChemical absorptionSolubility and diffusionMolecular size
Heat or cold neededYes, reboiler and condenserYes, solvent regenerationNoNo
Chemicals consumedNoYes, solvent make-upNoNo
Close-boiling pairsTall columns, high refluxNot applicableLimited selectivityPore tuned to the pair
Form factorColumn, fixedAbsorber and stripperModuleCartridge in container

5Specification

Values marked “per project” are set in the opportunity review. The full data sheet lists the inputs needed to size a system.

ParameterValue
Separation mechanismMolecular sieving through crystalline pores
Selective materialsMetal-organic frameworks, zeolites
OutputsPermeate and retentate, continuous
Driving forcePressure difference across the membrane
Separation chemicalsNone
Thermal cyclingNone
Delivery formatContainerised turnkey system
Field experience5+ demonstration units
Operating pressure, temperature, flowPer project

Technical data sheet

Membrane principle, system envelope, utilities and the questions we need answered about your stream. Sent by an engineer, not a mailing list.

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