Membrane contactor systems for gas-liquid contact

A membrane contactor system for use in separating carbon dioxide from a gaseous stream in a continuous flow process, the system comprising:

• a housing defining a gas flow path and comprising a first outlet for the carbon dioxide and a second outlet for a purified gas;
• an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene microporous membrane positioned in the housing to allow the gaseous stream to flow across a side of the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene microporous membrane, wherein the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene microporous membrane comprises a structure of nodes connected by fibrils in which surfaces of the structure of nodes and fibrils define a plurality of interconnecting pores extending through the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene microporous membrane, wherein the plurality of interconnecting pores are configured to allow the carbon dioxide to diffuse therethrough;
• an oleophobic enhancement coating disposed on the surfaces of the structure of nodes and fibrils to form a coated membrane and configured to provide oleophobicity to the coated membrane without blocking the plurality of interconnecting pores;
• and
• an amine based sorbent liquid disposed on a side of the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene microporous membrane opposite the gaseous stream, wherein the amine based sorbent liquid is configured to absorb the carbon dioxide from the gaseous stream.