Membrane Technology for Hydrofluorocarbon Refrigerant Separation

Membrane-based separations have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional separation methods for recovering and recycling refrigerants, driven by environmental regulations, the need for sustainable resource recovery, and the phase-out of high global warming potential compounds. This review provides an overview of membrane technologies for refrigerant separation, emphasizing key materials, transport mechanism, and performance metrics. Fundamental challenges such as azeotrope formation, close boiling points, and molecular similarity among refrigerant compounds are discussed in relation to size-sieving, solution-diffusion, and facilitated transport. Attention is given to polymeric membranes, mixed-matrix membranes, and inorganic membranes, with analysis of permeability, selectivity, and resistance to plasticization and chemical degradation. Factors influencing membrane performance, including material-refrigerant interactions and operating conditions, are examined. This review highlights recent advances, identifies research gaps, and outlines future directions for optimizing membrane design to achieve high separation efficiency, environmental compliance, and economic viability in refrigerant recovery and reuse.