Seminars and Workshops Applications of polymer nanocomposites for CO2 gas barrier properties in gas pipelines

Topic of Research Seminar: Applications of polymer nanocomposites for CO2 gas barrier properties in gas pipelines 

Abstract: Humans have used fossil fuels to fulfill their energy requirements and natural gas is one of the most important resource. Natural gas is transported from the gas wells by a network of pipelines. Gas pipelines are made of mild carbon steel, which is prone to corrosion due to trace amounts of CO2 in natural gas. Historically, two different methods have been used for the retardation of corrosion protection, namely cathodic protection and coatings. The use of cathodic protection has the disadvantage of the need for consistence maintenance. Therefore, over the recent past, more attention is being paid to the use of coatings for anticorrosion properties. In the industry, various kinds of coatings have been used, namely coal tar and asphalt. However, the focus is now shifting to the use of gas barrier nanocomposite membranes, which contain nanofillers in a polymer matrix. The working principle behind such membranes is that the incorporation of nanofillers, such as nanosheets, causes a lengthening of the gas flow path, due to the increase in tortuosity. Therefore, these nanofillers cause the improvement of gas barrier properties of protective coatings within pipelines. The main objective of this research is to synthesize nanofillers by liquid-phase exfoliation, and the fabrication of nanocomposites by solution blending. This will help in improving gas barrier properties of the membranes and thus prevent pipeline corrosion. Finally, the motivation of this work is to synthesize membranes having good adhesion with metallic surfaces, to give superior gas barrier properties and ultimately enhanced corrosion prevention.

Subject Field of Topic: Membrane Technology

Name of Speaker: Zarrar Salahuddin

Professorial Rank of Speaker: PhD Candidate

University Email of Speaker: [email protected]

Research Group Weblink: https://qalam.nust.edu.pk/student/dashboard

Affiliation of Speaker: NUST School of Chemical and Materials Engineering (NUST-SCME)

Date and Venue: February 28, 2023, at 1400 hrs, SCME Seminar Hall, School of Chemical and Materials Engineering (SCME), NUST Islamabad Campus