Apura gas separation membrane

Where these membranes are used

Apura^® gas separation membranes are used in natural gas processing plant membrane systems with high-partial-pressure CO₂, limited upstream gas dehydration, or both. They sweeten feed gas at pressures up to 1,200 psi [83 bar] and temperatures up to 140 degF [60 degC] via separation of CO₂, H₂S, and H₂O from methane.

How they enhance natural gas separation performance

The extremely robust, spiral-wound, multilayer composite membranes enable natural gas treatment facility operators to

• increase feed gas throughput while achieving excellent CO₂ removal
• retain maximum hydrocarbons in the nonpermeate product gas
• benefit from a long operating life with sustained membrane performance even in aromatic and water-rich conditions.

Apura membranes enable separation of a high-purity CO₂ permeate gas stream, which increases the potential for operators to pursue CCS. In cases where the permeate gas must be incinerated or flared, replacing traditional cellulose acetate spiral-wound membranes with Apura membranes has been proved to reduce Scope 1 emissions by 50%–60%. Capturing and reinjecting the CO₂ into the subsurface as part of a CCS or EOR program boosts emissions reduction even further.

These membranes have demonstrated superior selectivity and resilience in processes with high-partial-pressure CO₂, limited upstream gas dehydration, or both, enabling greater CO₂ removal efficiency and higher CH₄ retention—an important benefit because CH₄ is a much more potent greenhouse gas than CO₂.

How they improve separation performance of existing membrane process systems without requiring upstream dehydration (e.g., via molecular sieves)

The membrane separation technology has been operationalized in packaging that enables simple plug-and-play replacement of cellulose acetate and polyimide spiral-wound membranes without infrastructure modifications. With an extended life in water-rich conditions, Apura membranes are ideal for natural gas sweetening processes with varying levels of upstream gas dehydration, high-partial-pressure CO₂, or both—conditions that are unsuitable for some polymeric membranes. Membrane elements are designed to fit in 8-in and 8 1/4-in tubes built to ASME B31.3 specifications.

Why Apura membranes are so durable and resilient

The Apura membrane, developed by FUJIFILM and operationalized in collaboration with SLB, leverages FUJIFILM’s illustrious history in organic chemistry, thin film coating, and manufacturing excellence. The result is a gas sweetening membrane with extremely stable performance and high CO₂ versus hydrocarbon selectivity.

How does the membrane material function?

As a natural gas mixture at high pressure enters the acid gas removal system, it encounters the permeable and selective membrane surface. Inside the central perforated tube around which the membrane material is wrapped, the operating pressure is lower. The pressure differential across the membrane material drives contaminants—such as CO₂, H₂S, and H₂O—present in the natural gas across the membrane via selective permeation; most of the methane is preferentially retained.

Several polymeric membrane technologies exhibit this behavior, but FUJIFILM’s manufacturing excellence differentiates Apura membranes, which maintain their selectivity even in water-rich environments and after exposure to pressurization events inherent to production startups and shutdowns.

Apura is a registered trademark of FUJIFILM Corporation, used with permission.