preparation and physicochemical caracterization of nanocomposite MFIalumina structures based on alumina hollow fibres. The fibers are manufactured by a wet spinning process. αalumina particles were dispersed in a solution of polysulfone in NMP. The resulting slurry is pressed through the annular gap of a spinneret into a precipitation bath. The resulting green fibres are sintered. The mechanical strength of the alumina hollow fibres is determined by a threepointbending test while the pore size is characterized by bubblepoint testing. The bending strength is in the range of 110 MPa while the average pore size is 450 nm for an internal diameter of 1 mm and external diameter of 1.7 mm. To characterize the MFI membranes various techniques were used for physicochemical characterization of MFI–ceramic hollow fibres membranes: The nitrogen adsorption, Xray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy combined with X emission microanalysis. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Microanalysis by the Xray were used to observe the morphology of the hollow fibre membranes (thickness, infiltration into the carrier, defects, homogeneity). No surface film, has been obtained, as observed by SEM and EDX analysis and confirmed by high temperature variation of N 2 and CO 2 gas permeances before cation exchange. Local analysis and characterise (SEM and EDX) and overall (by ICP elemental analysis) were conducted on two samples exchanged to determine the quantity and distribution of the cation of cesium on the cross section fibre of the zeolite between the cavities. Physicochemical characterization of MFI, Ceramic hollow fibre, CO2, Ionexchange. I. INTRODUCTION OLLOW fibre geometries allow for much higher surface/volume ratios of membranes. Several types of supports are available geometries for the synthesis of zeolite membranes. Flat disks or tubes are frequently used and even the use of monolith type has been reported [1]. To reduce the thickness of the zeolite film, and to ensure it continuity, the pore size of the support for the zeolite/support interface must be sufficiently small. Tubular and multichannel are more resistant than the disks and have larger permeable surfaces. Moreover, they offer membrane surface/area significantly higher ratios seals, thereby reducing costs and the sealing effect of gas leakage. The large majority of zeolite membranes A. Alshebani and F. Altaher are with Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, University of Sirte, P.O. Box 674, Sirte, Libya; (e mail: alshebani@yahoo.fr, f_taher68@yahoo.fr). Y. Swesi and S. Mrayed are with Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya; (email: y.swesi@che.uot.edu.ly, smrayed@gmail.com). reported in the literature are synthesized on a porous support which gives them the strength necessary for its application. The zeolite layer on the support should ideally be as thin as possible to allow high permeabilities. Various types of supports were used for the synthesis of supported zeolite membranes, the shape, the chemical composition; the pore structure (size, pore porosity), microand macrostructure and pretraitement can greatly influence the structure and thus the performance final. Some typical examples of materials and their suppliers are listed in Table I. The alumina−α tubes with an asymmetric structure are the supports most widely used. Other ceramic materials have also been used as the alumina−γ [2] of titanium oxide [3], the SiC [4], and zirconia [5] Metal supports, mainly stainless steel, are also used because of their lower price and easier sealing implement by welding [6]. They can be made from different materials such as glass [7], [8], stainless porous ceramics [9] or porous steel [10], [11]. Among porous ceramics, the αalumina has been studied extensively and there is a wide knowledge on the synthesis of zeolite membranes on these supports. The main disadvantage of these supports is sealing related problems on metallic parts of modules [12], especially at high temperature. TABLE I SUPPLIERS OF POROUS INORGANIC MATERIALS LISTED IN THE LIOGRAPHY OF ZEOLITE [13] Provider supports material support form Typical pore size (nm) PallExehia (USA) αAl2O3 γAl2O3 Tube Tube 200, 800 5 Inocermic GmbH (Germany) αAl2O3 αAl2O3 γAl2O3 Tube Disk Tube 60, 100 60, 1800 5, 60 Poco Graphite (USA) αAl2O3 Tube 700 Sulzer Chem Tech LTD (Switzerland) αAl2O3 γAl2O3 Tube Tube 200 5 GKN Sinter Matels Filters GmbH (Germany) αAl2O3 SS Disk Disk 100, 200 270 GKN Sinter Metals Filters GmbH (Germany) αAl2O3 Tube 100, 200 NGK Insulators Co. (Japan) AI Tube 200, 500 NOK Corp. (Japan) αAl2O3 Tube 120150, 150170 Nikkato Corp. (Japan) αAl2O3 Tube 1300 Technologies d'or (USA) αAl2O3 Tube 200 US Filters (USA) αAl2O3 Tube 100 Trumem international (USA) AI Plan 2000500 In this paper we mainly report on membrane synthesis and ionexchanged with 1M in solution of CsCl. The ionexchange was carried out within the pores of a ceramic alumina A. Alshebani, Y. Swesi, S. Mrayed, F. Altaher Physicochemical Characterization of MFI–Ceramic Hollow Fibres Membranes for CO 2 Separation with Alkali Metal Cation H This paper presentV some preliminary work on the World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology International Journal of Chemical and Molecular Engineering Vol:8, No:9, 2014 1013 International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 8(9) 2014 ISNI:0000000091950263 Open Science Index, Chemical and Molecular Engineering Vol:8, No:9, 2014 publications.waset.org/9999417/pdf