Abstract: A system and process for treating a hydrocarbon feed mixture containing aromatic compounds is provided to separate the at least one aromatic compound from the hydrocarbon feed stream is provided. A supported ionic liquid membrane, which is a microporous polymeric support containing ionic liquid in its pores, is used to selectively extract aromatics. The hydrocarbon feed mixture is directed to a retentate side of the supported ionic liquid membrane. A permeate stream is drawn from the permeate, side of the supported ionic liquid membrane, which is an aromatic-rich hydrocarbon stream. An aromatic-lean hydrocarbon stream, which is the retentate portion of the original hydrocarbon feed, remains on the retentate side of the supported ionic liquid membrane.

Abstract: A system and process for treating a hydrocarbon feed mixture containing aromatic compounds is provided to separate the at least one aromatic compound from the hydrocarbon feed stream is provided. A supported ionic liquid membrane, which is a microporous polymeric support containing ionic liquid in its pores, is used to selectively extract aromatics. The hydrocarbon feed mixture is directed to a retentate side of the supported ionic liquid membrane. A permeate stream is drawn from the permeate, side of the supported ionic liquid membrane, which is an aromatic-rich hydrocarbon stream. An aromatic-lean hydrocarbon stream, which is the retentate portion of the original hydrocarbon feed, remains on the retentate side of the supported ionic liquid membrane.

Abstract: The process of the present invention is directed to the desulfurization of a sulfur-containing unrefined hydrocarbon stream with a membrane separation apparatus, where sulfur compounds are concentrated in a sulfur-rich stream on a permeate side of the membrane, and a sulfur-lean stream is recovered as a retentate. The sulfur-rich stream, which has a small volume relative to the original unrefined hydrocarbon stream, is conveyed to a subsequent desulfurization apparatus or system, such as a hydrotreating system, to recover the hydrocarbons associated with the organosulfur compounds. The stream desulfurized by conventional processes, such as hydrotreating, and the hydrocarbons desulfurized by the membrane separation apparatus may be combined to provide a low sulfur hydrocarbon effluent with minimal or no loss of the original volume.