Abstract: In some embodiments, the invention is a method of removing sulfur from a hydrocarbon feed using the steps of dissolving metallic sodium in a first solvent, combining the sodium/first solvent solution with a sulfur-free alkane or cycloalkane second solvent, vaporizing the first solvent from sodium/first solvent/second solvent combination to transfer the dissolved metallic sodium into the second solvent, and then combine the resultant liquid with a liquid hydrocarbon feed containing an organosulfur species. The resulting stream is combined with a hydrogen donor. The combination is heated and pressurized to form a liquid hydrocarbon product containing sodium sulfide. The liquid hydrocarbon product containing sodium sulfide is then cooled, and the sodium sulfide is extracted. The extracted sodium sulfide is then processed in a sodium sulfur cell to regenerate the sodium and recycle it to the feed.

Abstract: A method for recovery of fuel-grade ethanol from dilute aqueous ethanol feed in a continuous or batch-wise process includes providing a feed tank containing a dilute aqueous ethanol liquid phase and a vapor phase, removing a portion of the vapor phase from the tank and circulating it through a membrane contactor having an inner lumen and an outer shell, recovering from the membrane contactor a feed phase substantially reduced in ethanol and a solvent phase substantially enriched in ethanol, separating an enriched ethanol phase from the solvent phase, and removing a substantial amount of water from the enriched ethanol phase to produce a fuel-grade ethanol stream. A Venturi nozzle may be used in lieu of the membrane contactor.

Abstract: Methods for recovery of at least one alcohol from dilute aqueous alcohol feed streams are described. The methods include steps of a) providing a source of a dilute aqueous alcohol feed stream including at least one alcohol; b) substantially removing any solids from the dilute aqueous alcohol feed stream to form a feed stream substantially devoid of solids; c) circulating the feed stream substantially devoid of solids through a liquid-liquid extraction system having multiple equilibrium stages; d) recovering a raffinate phase substantially depleted in the at least one alcohol and an extract phase substantially enriched in the at least one alcohol; e) passing the extract phase to a recovery system wherein the extract phase is subjected to microwave radiation; f) recovering the volatilized product; and g) recycling the solvent to the liquid-liquid extraction system. The microwave radiation substantially heats the alcohol but not the solvent to form a volatilized product of substantially pure alcohol.

Abstract: Methods for extracting an organic solute from a feed source using aromatic extraction solvents are described herein. Solvent modifiers such as, for example, cetyl alcohol may also be used to alter the properties of the solvent and improve the extraction. In some embodiments, the extraction solvent can be recycled after performing the extraction. In some embodiments, the organic solute may be separated from the extraction solvent after the extraction. For example, in some embodiments, the organic solute may be adsorbed on to 5 ? molecular sieve zeolites and then removed thereafter. Removal of the organic solute can take place by heating, applying a vacuum or a combination thereof. Apparatuses for extracting an organic solute from a feed source are also described herein.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for the recovery of olefins from a mixture. The compositions of the present invention comprise: (1) a transition metal ion; (2) a counter anion; (3) a ligand selected from the group consisting of a bidentate ligand and a tridentate ligand, wherein the ligand comprises at least two nitrogen atoms, and wherein each of the nitrogen atoms comprises a lone pair of electrons; and (4) a polar solvent with a boiling point of at least about 200° C. The methods of the present invention comprise: (1) providing the aforementioned compositions; (2) bonding at least a portion of the olefins in a mixture to the transition metal ion in the composition to form a complex; (3) separating the complex from the mixture; and (4) recovering the olefins from the complex.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the invention is a method of removing sulfur from a hydrocarbon feed using the steps of dissolving metallic sodium in a first solvent, combining the sodium/first solvent solution with a sulfur-free alkane or cycloalkane second solvent, vaporizing the first solvent from sodium/first solvent/second solvent combination to transfer the dissolved metallic sodium into the second solvent, and then combine the resultant liquid with a liquid hydrocarbon feed containing an organosulfur species. The resulting stream is combined with a hydrogen donor. The combination is heated and pressurized to form a liquid hydrocarbon product containing sodium sulfide. The liquid hydrocarbon product containing sodium sulfide is then cooled, and the sodium sulfide is extracted. The extracted sodium sulfide is then processed in a sodium sulfur cell to regenerate the sodium and recycle it to the feed.

Abstract: Methods for recovery of at least one alcohol from dilute aqueous alcohol feed streams are described. The methods include steps of a) providing a source of a dilute aqueous alcohol feed stream including at least one alcohol; b) substantially removing any solids from the dilute aqueous alcohol feed stream to form a feed stream substantially devoid of solids; c) circulating the feed stream substantially devoid of solids through a liquid-liquid extraction system having multiple equilibrium stages; d) recovering a raffinate phase substantially depleted in the at least one alcohol and an extract phase substantially enriched in the at least one alcohol; e) passing the extract phase to a recovery system wherein the extract phase is subjected to microwave radiation; f) recovering the volatilized product; and g) recycling the solvent to the liquid-liquid extraction system. The microwave radiation substantially heats the alcohol but not the solvent to form a volatilized product of substantially pure alcohol.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the invention is a method of removing sulfur from a hydrocarbon feed using the steps of dissolving metallic sodium in a first solvent, combining the sodium/first solvent solution with a sulfur-free alkane or cycloalkane second solvent, vaporizing the first solvent from sodium/first solvent/second solvent combination to transfer the dissolved metallic sodium into the second solvent, and then combine the resultant liquid with a liquid hydrocarbon feed containing an organosulfur species. The resulting stream is combined with a hydrogen donor. The combination is heated and pressurized to form a liquid hydrocarbon product containing sodium sulfide. The liquid hydrocarbon product containing sodium sulfide is then cooled, and the sodium sulfide is extracted.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of removing sulphur from a hydrocarbon feed stream, comprising the steps of: (a) dissolving sodium in a liquid solvent to form a solution containing sodium atoms; (b) combining the liquid solution from step (a) with a liquid hydrocarbon feed containing an organosulfur component to form a combined stream at a temperature of addition and at a pressure near or above the vapor pressure of the solvent at the temperature of addition; (c) reacting the combined stream for sufficient reaction time and at sufficient reaction temperature to form a modified composition comprising one or more sulfur-containing species and less of the organosulfur species than had been present in the hydrocarbon feed; (d) extracting a portion of the sulfur-containing species from the modified composition.

Abstract: The invention is a thin film composite solid (and a means for making such) suitable for use as an electrolyte, having a first layer of a dense, non-porous conductive material; a second layer of a porous ionic conductive material; and a third layer of a dense non-porous conductive material, wherein the second layer has a Coefficient of thermal expansion within 5% of the coefficient of thermal expansion of the first and third layers.

Abstract: The invention is a method of removing sulfur from a hydrocarbon feed using the steps of dissolving metallic sodium in a solvent and combining the sodium/solvent solution with a liquid hydrocarbon feed containing an organosulfur species. The pressure of combination is above the vapor pressure of the solvent. The combined hydrocarbon feed and solvent solution are placed in a low pressure environment to vaporize the solvent. The resulting stream is combined with hydrogen gas and this stream is heated and pressurized to form a liquid hydrocarbon product containing sodium sulfide. This product is then cooled, and the sodium sulfide is extracted.

Abstract: The invention is a method of removing sulfur from a hydrocarbon feed using the steps of dissolving metallic sodium in a solvent and combining the sodium/solvent solution with a liquid hydrocarbon feed containing an organosulfur species. The pressure of combination is above the vapor pressure of the solvent. The combined hydrocarbon feed and solvent solution are placed in a low pressure environment to vaporize the solvent. The resulting stream is combined with hydrogen gas and this stream is heated and pressurized to form a liquid hydrocarbon product containing sodium sulfide. This product is then cooled, and the sodium sulfide is extracted.

Abstract: An improved heavy oil conversion process is disclosed in which the heavy oil feed is first thermally cracked using visbreaking or hydrovisbreaking technology to produce a product that is lower in molecular weight and boiling point than the feed. The product is then deasphalted using an alkane solvent at a solvent to feed ratio of less than 2 wherein separation of solvent and deasphalted oil from the asphaltenes is achieved through the use of a two-stage membrane separation system in which the second stage is a centrifugal membrane.

Abstract: Improved heavy oil conversion processes are disclosed in which the heavy oil feed is first thermally cracked using visbreaking or hydrovisbreaking technology to produce a product that is lower in molecular weight and boiling point than the feed. The product is then deasphalted using an alkane solvent at a solvent to feed volume ratio of less than 2 wherein separation of solvent and deasphalted oil from the asphaltenes is achieved through the use of a two-stage membrane separation system in which the second stage is a centrifugal membrane.

Abstract: Thin film composite electrolyte structures are disclosed that are preferably ionically conductive but not electronically conductive and are therefore suitable for use in electrochemical cells, such as secondary batteries based on sodium and sulfur. Vehicles including the electrochemical cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved membrane pervaporation and vapor permeation system is disclosed in which the vacuum is produced by a fluid passing through a Venturi-type nozzle. The fluid is chosen from solvents that have an affinity for the permeate molecules. It is applicable over of process feed rates, can be used with either organic or aqueous systems and conserves energy relative to existing technology.