Conceptual design of membrane processes
ApplyProject Description
The aim of this project is to simulate different membrane processes to develop rules of thumb for conceptual design of membrane processes. The student in this project will learn how to use the software Aspen Plus®, a wide used software in petrochemical industry, to simulate the membrane process for the separation of propylene and propane. Through this project, the student will learn all the basic knowledge of membrane processes, understand the reason why gas separation is so important in chemical industry and what are the advantages and challenges in the membrane studies. The education aim of the project is to stimulate the interest of the student in membrane studies.




About the
Researcher
Zhiping Lai
Professor, Chemical Engineering

Professor Lai's research interests mainly focus on synthesis, characterization, and applications of inorganic membranes with ordered porous structures, such as zeolites, mesoporous silica or carbon, metal-organic frameworks, etc. The aim of his research is to understand the membrane formation and separation mechanisms in order to develop novel synthesis strategies to fabricate high performance membrane systems. The applications of these membranes are targeted on gas separations, hydrocarbon mixture separations, membrane reactors, wastewater treatment, and recovery of industrial organic solvents.
Lai is also interested in coupling of inorganic and polymeric materials to develop novel mixed matrix membranes. Another area of his interests is synthesis of porous materials into nanostructures such as core-shell nanostructure and study their potential applications such as drug deliveries and micro-membrane reactors.
Lai is also interested in coupling of inorganic and polymeric materials to develop novel mixed matrix membranes. Another area of his interests is synthesis of porous materials into nanostructures such as core-shell nanostructure and study their potential applications such as drug deliveries and micro-membrane reactors.
Desired Project Deliverables
Please contact professor for details.