Membrane Systems Research Group

Introduction

Membrane systems research group has recently been launched at the Department of Chemical Engineering, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore. The research group offers a membrane technology platform where preparation and testing of membranes are carried out for variety of applications. Our research group pursues both fundamental and applied research related to the membrane- based separations particularly CO2 capture. The main emphasis of this research group is on membrane development, mostly polymer based, often with addition of fillers to obtain mixed matrix membranes. At the level of membrane characterization, membrane modules are being designed for the performance screening of membranes for different applications. The resolution limits for membrane characterization are being pushed via the use of relatively new techniques in membrane technology.

The expertise of the personnel within the group is being used to prepare ‘state-of-the-art’ manuscripts reviewing latest developments in the area of gas purification. The group has directed its effort for the ‘Development of next generation mixed matrix membranes for CO2 capture’. Another research area highlighted is the ‘Development of membrane research facility for gas and liquid separations’.Moreover, the focus will be on “Modeling, simulation and process design of membrane modules for gas separation systems”.The research proposals are being prepared by the group to be submitted to funding agencies. This research group has long-term collaboration with various national and international membrane research groups including:

• Center for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis, KU Leuven, Belgium
• Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, China
• LUMS School of Engineering, Lahore, Pakistan
• School of Chemicals & Materials Engineering, NUST, Pakistan
• Research Centre of CO2 capture, UniversitiTeknologi PETRONAS, Malaysia

Group Members:

1. Dr. Asim Laeeq Khan
2. Dr. Faizan Ahmad
3. Dr. Sikandar Rafiq
4. Dr. Asad Ullah Khan

Selected Publications:

• Asim Laeeq Khan, ChalidaKlaysom, AmitGahlaut, AsadUllah Khan, Ivo F.J. Vankelecom, (2013), “Mixed matrix membranes comprising of Matrimid and –SO3H functionalized mesoporous MCM-41 for gas separation” Journal of Membrane Science- Elsevier, pp: 73-79, Vol: 447, Impact Factor: 4.093
• Faizan Ahmad, K.K. Lau, A.M. Shariff, Yin Fong Yeong (2013), "Temperature and Pressure Dependence of Membrane Permeance and its Effect on Process Economics of Hollow Fiber Gas Separation System", Journal of Membrane Science, Vol: In Press, Standard: 0376-7388, Impact Factor: 3.850
• F. Clippel, A.L. Khan, A. Cano-Odena, M. Dusselier, K. Vanherck, L. Peng, S. Oswald, L. Giebeler, S. Corthals, B. Kenens, J.F.M. Denayer, P.A. Jacobs, I.F.J. Vankelecom, B.F. Sels (2013), CO2 reverse selective mixed matrix membranes for H2 purification by incorporation of carbon-silica fillers, J. Mater. Chem A., 1 (2013) 945. Impact Factor: 5.97
• SikanderRafiq, Zakaria Man, AbdulhalimMaulud, Nawshad Muhammad and SaikatMaitra (2012), "'Separation of CO2 from CH4 using Polysulfone/Polyimide Silica Nanocomposite Membranes", Separation Purification & Technology-Elsevier, pp: 162, Vol: 92, Impact Factor: 2.894
• SikanderRafiq, Zakaria Man, SaikatMaitra, Nawshad Muhammad and Farooq Ahmad (2012), "'Kinetics of Thermal Degradation of PSF/PI Blended Polymeric Membranes", Journal of Applied Polymer Science-Wiley, pp: 3755, Vol: 123, Impact Factor: 1.395
• Asim Laeeq  Khan, C. Klaysom, A. Gahlaut, X. Li, I.F. J. Vankelecom (2012), "SPEEK and functionalized mesoporous MCM-41 mixed-matrix membranes for CO2 separation", Journal of Materials Chemistry , pp: 20057, Vol: 22 , Standard: 1364-5501., Impact Factor: 6.10
• Faizan Ahmad, K.K. Lau, A.M. Shariff, GhulamMurshid (2012), "Process Simulation and Optimal Design of Membrane Separation System for CO2 Capture from Natural Gas", Computers and Chemical Engineering, pp: 119-128, Vol: 36, Standard: 0098-1354, Impact Factor: 2.072
• Faizan Ahmad, Lau KokKeong, AzmiMohd. Shariff and GhulamMurshid (2011), "CO2 Capture from Natural Gas using Membrane Separation System: Process Simulation, Parametric Analysis and Joule Thompson Effect", Research Journal of Chemistry and Environment, pp: 238-244, Vol: 15, Issue: 2, Standard: 0972-0626, Impact Factor: 0.292
• SikanderRafiq, Zakaria Man, AbdulhalimMaulud, Nawshad Muhammad and SaikatMaitra (2011), "'Effect of Varying Solvents Compositions on Morphology and Gas Permeation properties on Membranes Blends for CO2 Separation from Natural gas", Journal of Membrane Science- Elsevier, pp: 444, Vol: 378, Impact Factor: 4.093
• SikanderRafiq, Zakaria Man, SaikatMaitra, Farooq Ahmad, Nawshad Muhammad (2011), "'Preparation of Asymmetric PSF/PI blended Membranes for CO2 Separation", Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering- SpringerLink, pp: 2050, Vol: 28, Impact Factor: 1.059 
• S. Basu, Asim Laeeq Khan, A. Cano-Odena, C. Liu, I.F.J. Vankelecom (2010), "Membrane-based technologies for bio-gas separations", Chemical Society Reviews, pp: 750, Vol: 39, Impact Factor: 24.89