Abstract: Light hydrocarbon enrichment is accomplished using a vertically oriented distillation column having a plurality of vertically oriented, nonselective micro/mesoporous hollow fibers. Vapor having, for example, both propylene and propane is sent upward through the distillation column in between the hollow fibers. Vapor exits neat the top of the column and is condensed to form a liquid phase that is directed back downward through the lumen of the hollow fibers. As vapor continues to ascend and liquid continues to countercurrently descend, the liquid at the bottom of the column becomes enriched in a higher boiling point, light hydrocarbon (propane, for example) and the vapor at the top becomes enriched in a lower boiling point light hydrocarbon (propylene, for example). The hollow fiber becomes wetted with liquid during the process.

Abstract: Light hydrocarbon enrichment is accomplished using a vertically oriented distillation column having a plurality of vertically oriented, nonselective micro/mesoporous hollow fibers. Vapor having, for example, both propylene and propane is sent upward through the distillation column in between the hollow fibers. Vapor exits neat the top of the column and is condensed to form a liquid phase that is directed back downward through the lumen of the hollow fibers. As vapor continues to ascend and liquid continues to countercurrently descend, the liquid at the bottom of the column becomes enriched in a higher boiling point, light hydrocarbon (propane, for example) and the vapor at the top becomes enriched in a lower boiling point light hydrocarbon (propylene, for example). The hollow fiber becomes wetted with liquid during the process.

Abstract: Light hydrocarbon enrichment is accomplished using a vertically oriented distillation column having a plurality of vertically oriented, nonselective micro/mesoporous hollow fibers. Vapor having, for example, both propylene and propane is sent upward through the distillation column in between the hollow fibers. Vapor exits neat the top of the column and is condensed to form a liquid phase that is directed back downward through the lumen of the hollow fibers. As vapor continues to ascend and liquid continues to countercurrently descend, the liquid at the bottom of the column becomes enriched in a higher boiling point, light hydrocarbon (propane, for example) and the vapor at the top becomes enriched in a lower boiling point light hydrocarbon (propylene, for example). The hollow fiber becomes wetted with liquid during the process.

Abstract: Light hydrocarbon enrichment is accomplished using a vertically oriented distillation column having a plurality of vertically oriented, nonselective micro/mesoporous hollow fibers. Vapor having, for example, both propylene and propane is sent upward through the distillation column in between the hollow fibers. Vapor exits neat the top of the column and is condensed to form a liquid phase that is directed back downward through the lumen of the hollow fibers. As vapor continues to ascend and liquid continues to countercurrently descend, the liquid at the bottom of the column becomes enriched in a higher boiling point, light hydrocarbon (propane, for example) and the vapor at the top becomes enriched in a lower boiling point light hydrocarbon (propylene, for example). The hollow fiber becomes wetted with liquid during the process.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for production of value-added products from fluid admixtures of hydrocarbon compounds at least one of which is an aromatic hydrocarbon compound, by means of one or more devices using perm-selective polymeric membranes. More particularly, processes of the invention comprise separations using aromatic-selective polymeric materials comprising long-chain polymeric molecules in which recurring amide and imide linkages are part of the main polymer chain. Processes of the invention advantageously employ aromatic-selective membranes to separate an aromatic enriched stream from gaseous and/or liquid mixtures comprising one or more aromatic hydrocarbon compounds thereby producing a stream comprising the remaining compounds which may include alkenes and/or alkanes containing 3 or more carbon atoms, and/or alicyclic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for production of purified products from a fluid mixtures of C8 aromatics by means of integration of perm-selective separations with purified product recovery operations. The perm-selective separations of the invention comprise of one or more devices using polymeric perm-selective membrane devices to separate a meta-xylene enriched stream from fluid mixtures of C8 aromatics thereby producing a fluid comprising the remaining aromatic compounds which advantageously includes para-xylene. Processes of the invention are particularly useful for recovery of very pure meta-xylene and para-xylene co-products from liquid mixtures even containing ethylbenzene as well as the three xylene isomers.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus are disclosed for recovery of purified products from a fluid mixture by means of integrated perm-selective separations with purified product recovery operations. More particularly, integrated processes of the invention comprise separations by means of one or more devices using polymeric membranes coupled with recovery of purified products by means of fractional crystallization and/or selective sorption. Processes of the invention are particularly useful for recovery of a very pure aromatic isomer when processing aromatic starting materials, for example, a pure para-xylene product from liquid mixtures even containing ethylbenzene as well as the three xylene isomers.

Abstract: Processes for chemical conversion of volatile organic compounds to value added products using membrane reactors and recovery of one or more purified conversion product are described. Useful membranes are preselected to control the relative amount of noncondensable co-product in gaseous reactor effluent such that the energy required for the subsequent compression and partial condensation of the reactor effluent is reduced.

Abstract: Apparatus and processes are disclosed for economical separation of fluid mixtures. Broadly, apparatus of the invention is an integrated fractional distillation and perm-selective membrane separation apparatus. More particularly, the integrated apparatus comprises a fractional distillation column and one or more membrane device utilizing solid perm-selective membranes. Processes of the invention are particularly useful for simultaneous recovery of a very pure permeate product, a desired non-permeate stream, and one or more distillate products from a fluid mixture containing at least two compounds of different boiling point temperatures.

Abstract: Apparatus and processes are disclosed for economical separation of fluid mixtures utilizing perm-selective membranes. Broadly, apparatus of the invention comprises a plurality of membrane modules comprising a solid perm-selective membrane and equipment for controlling enthalpy of selected fluids within the apparatus. Advantageously, the membrane modules are disposed in a first product group, a second product group, and at least one intermediate group. Apparatus of the invention is particularly useful for simultaneous recovery of a very pure permeate product, and/or a desired non-permeate stream, from fluid mixtures of two or more compounds which when subjected to appropriately altered conditions of temperature and/or pressure exhibit a bubble point.

Abstract: Economical processes of the present invention are for separation of fluid mixtures to recover desired products using apparatus comprising a plurality of membrane modules disposed in a first product group, a second product group, and optionally one or more intermediate group. Advantageously integrated processes of the invention with the membrane modules in multiple groups are employed for simultaneous recovery of a very pure permeate product and a desired non-permeate product from a mixture containing organic compounds.

Abstract: Apparatus and processes are disclosed for economical separation of fluid mixtures. Broadly, apparatus of the invention is an integrated fractional distillation and perm-selective membrane separation apparatus. More particularly, the integrated apparatus comprises a fractional distillation column and one or more membrane device utilizing solid perm-selective membranes. Processes of the invention are particularly useful for simultaneous recovery of a very pure permeate product, a desired non-permeate stream, and one or more distillate products from a fluid mixture containing at least two compounds of different boiling point temperatures.

Abstract: Economical processes of the present invention are for separation of fluid mixtures to recover desired products using apparatus comprising a plurality of membrane modules disposed in a first product group, a second product group, and optionally one or more intermediate group. Advantageously integrated processes of the invention with the membrane modules in multiple groups are employed for simultaneous recovery of a very pure permeate product and a desired non-permeate product from a mixture containing organic compounds.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for economical separation of fluid mixtures. Broadly, apparatus of the invention comprises modules using solid perm-selective membranes. More particularly, the invention relates to a plurality of membrane modules disposed in a first product group, a second product group, and optionally one or more intermediate group. Apparatus of the invention with the membrane modules in multiple groups is beneficially useful for simultaneous recovery of a very pure permeate product and a desired non-permeate product from a mixture containing organic compounds.