Abstract: A molecular separation method can include: passing a deasphalted oil stream through a reactor containing an active substrate, wherein the catalytic active substrate adsorbs heteroatom species from the deasphalted oil stream and produces a pretreated hydrocarbon feed stream essentially free of 4+ ring aromatic molecules (ARC 4+ species), metal species, and heteroatom species; and chromatographically separating with a simulated moving bed apparatus or a true moving bed apparatus (SMB/TMB) the pretreated hydrocarbon feed stream into a saturate fraction and an aromatics fraction.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for separating a wax product from a hydrocarbon feedstream by a) conducting a hydrocarbon feedstream to a membrane separation zone; b) retrieving at least one retentate product stream from the first side of the membrane element; c) retrieving at least one permeate product stream having a wax phase and an oil phase from a second side of the membrane element, wherein a pour point of the wax phase of the permeate product stream is higher than a pour point of the oil phase of permeate product stream; and d) separating a wax product from the wax phase of the permeate product stream.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided herein utilizing a membrane cascade to separate a hydrocarbon feed into boiling point fractions. Also provided herein are methods for selecting membranes for said cascades to achieve the desired boiling point fraction separation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing selective catalytic reduction on engine exhaust using ethanol from the engine fuel as the reducing agent. Fuel from a fuel tank or other fuel source can be passed through a separation module to produce a fuel stream with a reduced ethanol content and an ethanol-enriched fraction. After combustion of fuel under lean conditions, the combustion exhaust can be exposed to a catalyst system in the presence of the ethanol-enriched fraction.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing on-board separation of a fuel into a higher octane fuel fraction and a lower octane fuel fraction using a membrane under osmosis conditions. By performing the separation under osmosis conditions, the feed for separation can be exposed to the membrane without requiring prior heating. This can avoid the need for having a separate heat exchanger system for heating the feed to the membrane to a desired temperature range. Additionally or alternately, the permeate from the membrane separation can be at a pressure of roughly 100 kPa-a or higher. This can avoid the need for having an eductor to provide a pressure below 100 kPa-a for the permeate side of the membrane. The fuel fractions produced during the membrane separation can then be used as fuel in a dual-fuel spark ignition engine.

Abstract: A molecular separation method can include: passing a deasphalted oil stream through a reactor containing an active substrate, wherein the catalytic active substrate adsorbs heteroatom species from the deasphalted oil stream and produces a pretreated hydrocarbon feed stream essentially free of 4+ ring aromatic molecules (ARC 4+ species), metal species, and heteroatom species; and chromatographically separating with a simulated moving bed apparatus or a true moving bed apparatus (SMB/TMB) the pretreated hydrocarbon feed stream into a saturate fraction and an aromatics fraction.

Abstract: A process and apparatus useful for continuously contacting an alkane feed at a temperature within a range from 300° C. to 600° C. and a pressure within the range from 50 psig to 500 psig with one or more reactive ceramic membrane to form an alkene with some remaining alkane and hydrogen, the hydrogen in physical isolation from the alkane and alkene, separating the alkene from the remaining alkane, and recycling the alkane to contact the reactive ceramic membrane.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a membrane with an organosilica material which is a polymer comprising independent units of Formula [Z3Z4SiCH2]3 (I), wherein each Z3 represents a hydroxyl group, a C1-C4 alkoxy group or an oxygen atom bonded to a silicon atom of another unit or an active site on the support and each Z4 represents a hydroxyl group, a C1-C4 alkoxy group, a C1-C4 alkyl group, an oxygen atom bonded to a silicon atom of another unit or an active site on the support are provided. Methods of removing a contaminant from a hydrocarbon stream are also provided.

Abstract: In a process for separating one or more 3,3?-, 3,4?- and 4,4?-dimethyl biphenyl isomers, a feed comprising the isomers is contacted with a zeolite adsorbent which contains one or more metal cations in the +1 or +2 oxidation states. Separation processes for each of the 3,3?-, 3,4?- and 4,4?-dimethyl biphenyl isomers is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for separating a wax product from a hydrocarbon feedstream by a) conducting a hydrocarbon feedstream to a membrane separation zone; b) retrieving at least one retentate product stream from the first side of the membrane element; c) retrieving at least one permeate product stream having a wax phase and an oil phase from a second side of the membrane element, wherein a pour point of the wax phase of the permeate product stream is higher than a pour point of the oil phase of permeate product stream; and d) separating a wax product from the wax phase of the permeate product stream.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for producing base stocks by using a separation process that includes: conducting a hydrocarbon feedstream to a membrane separation zone wherein the feedstream contacts a first side of at least one membrane element; retrieving at least one retentate product stream from the first side of the membrane element; retrieving at least one permeate product stream from a second side of the membrane element; and converting at least a portion of the permeate product stream into the base stock. Also provided are base stocks produced by the separation process.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided herein utilizing a membrane cascade to separate a hydrocarbon feed into boiling point fractions. Also provided herein are methods for selecting membranes for said cascades to achieve the desired boiling point fraction separation.

Abstract: Asymmetric membrane structures are provided that are suitable for various types of separations, such as separations by reverse osmosis. Methods for making an asymmetric membrane structure are also provided. The membrane structure can include at least one polymer layer. Pyrolysis can be used to convert the polymer layer to a porous carbon structure with a higher ratio of carbon to hydrogen.

Abstract: Asymmetric membrane structures are provided that are suitable for various types of separations, such as separations by reverse osmosis. Methods for making an asymmetric membrane structure are also provided. The membrane structure can include at least one polymer layer. Pyrolysis can be used to convert the polymer layer to a porous carbon structure with a higher ratio of carbon to hydrogen.

Abstract: A process for separating dimethyl biphenyl (DMBP) isomers, including contacting a mixture of 3,3?-DMBP, 3,4?-DMBP and 4,4?-DMBP in a first solvent with a 12-member ring zeolite exchanged with potassium or barium, or combinations thereof, and adsorbing the 3,3?-DMBP onto the 12-member ring zeolite, such as by passing the mixture through at least one packed bed of the potassium and/or barium exchanged 12-member ring zeolite.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing on-board separation of a fuel into a higher octane fuel fraction and a lower octane fuel fraction using a membrane under osmosis conditions. By performing the separation under osmosis conditions, the feed for separation can be exposed to the membrane without requiring prior heating. This can avoid the need for having a separate heat exchanger system for heating the feed to the membrane to a desired temperature range. Additionally or alternately, the permeate from the membrane separation can be at a pressure of roughly 100 kPa-a or higher. This can avoid the need for having an eductor to provide a pressure below 100 kPa-a for the permeate side of the membrane. The fuel fractions produced during the membrane separation can then be used as fuel in a dual-fuel spark ignition engine.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing selective catalytic reduction on engine exhaust using ethanol from the engine fuel as the reducing agent. Fuel from a fuel tank or other fuel source can be passed through a separation module to produce a fuel stream with a reduced ethanol content and an ethanol-enriched fraction. After combustion of fuel under lean conditions, the combustion exhaust can be exposed to a catalyst system in the presence of the ethanol-enriched fraction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for deasphalting raw crude production product at the production site, e.g. at the wellhead, and injecting the retentate back into the reservoir are provided.

Abstract: Asymmetric membrane structures are provided that are suitable for hydrocarbon reverse osmosis of small hydrocarbons. Separation of para-xylene from ortho- and meta-xylene is an example of a separation that can be performed using hydrocarbon reverse osmosis. Hydrocarbon reverse osmosis separations can be incorporated into a para-xylene isomerization and recovery system in a variety of manners.

Abstract: A process for separating dimethyl biphenyl (DMBP) isomers, including contacting a mixture of 3,3?-DMBP, 3,4?-DMBP and 4,4?-DMBP in a first solvent with a 12-member ring zeolite exchanged with potassium or barium, or combinations thereof, and adsorbing the 3,3?-DMBP onto the 12-member ring zeolite, such as by passing the mixture through at least one packed bed of the potassium and/or barium exchanged 12-member ring zeolite.