Abstract: Organics are separated from aqueous solutions by contacting the aqueous solution feed with a first surface of a polymeric membrane selectively permeable to organic components; while maintaining a second and opposite membrane surface at a lower chemical potential than the first membrane surface for said organic components, permeating a portion of the organic components into and through the membrane; and withdrawing from the second membrane surface a mixture having a higher total concentration of organic components than the organic components concentration of the aqueous solution feed stream.

Abstract: There is provided an improved selective adsorption process for the recovery of a light gas, especially hydrogen, from a feed gas mixture by utilizing a membrane permeator unit selectively permeable to said light gas to recover a more concentrated light gas from a stream comprising said light gas used to regenerate a selective adsorber unit and recycling the concentrated light gas to the selective adsorber unit, either blended with the feed gas mixture or as purging gas, for recovery of an added proportion of highly purified light gas product, and the system of apparatus for effecting the improved selective adsorption process.

Abstract: Organics selected from alkanols, alkyl benzenes and organic nitriles are separated from aqueous solutions by contacting the aqueous solution feed with a first surface of a polymeric membrane comprised of an aliphatic nylon selectively permeable to organic components; while maintaining a second and opposite membrane surface at a lower chemical potential than the first membrane surface for said organic components, permeating a portion of the organic components into and through the membrane; and withdrawing from the second membrane surface a mixture having a higher total concentration of organic components than the organic components concentration of the aqueous solution feed stream.

Abstract: Process for the separation of water from mixtures of water and mineral acids by contacting the mixtures against an organic polymeric membrane, and withdrawing at the other side of the membrane a mixture having a higher concentration of water.

Abstract: Ammonia synthesis processes are disclosed which provide enhanced conversion of hydrogen values to ammonia. In the processes, a purge stream from an ammonia synthesis loop, which purge stream contains ammonia, is contacted at a superatmospheric pressure with the feed side of a separation membrane which exhibits selective permeation of each of hydrogen and ammonia as compared to the permeation of each of methane and argon. A total pressure differential across the membrane is maintained to provide a driving force for the permeation of hydrogen and ammonia through the membrane. A hydrogen-rich permeating gas which contains ammonia is obtained on the permeate exit side of the membrane. The permeating gas is combined with the gas in the ammonia synthesis loop and passed to the ammonia synthesis reaction zone for conversion to ammonia. Ammonia which permeates the membrane can be recovered by the means to remove product ammonia from the gas in the synthesis loop.

Abstract: Ammonia synthesis processes are disclosed which provide enhanced conversion of hydrogen values to ammonia. In the processes, a purge stream from an ammonia synthesis loop is treated to reduce its ammmonia content to less than about 0.5 volume percent. The purge stream is then contacted at a pressure of at least substantially the superatmospheric synthesis pressure of the ammonia synthesis with the feed side of a separation membrane which exhibits selective permeation of hydrogen as compared to the permeation of each of methane and argon. A total pressure differential is maintained across the membrane to provide a driving force for hydrogen permeation through the membrane. A hydrogen-rich permeating gas is obtained on the permeate exit side of the membrane. The permeating gas is combined with gas passing to the ammonia synthesis reaction zone for conversion to ammonia. For instance, the permeating gas can be combined with synthesis feed gas or directly introduced into the ammonia synthesis loop.

Abstract: Water is separated from aqueous mixtures of organic and inorganic compounds by contacting the aqueous mixture against a first surface of a polymeric membrane selectively permeable to water, contacting the second surface of the membrane with a sweep liquid having a thermally dependent water miscibility, withdrawing a water enriched miscible sweep liquid from the second surface, and forming a water rich phase and a sweep liquid phase through the thermal adjustment of the withdrawn water-enriched miscible sweep liquid. The water miscible sweep liquid is selected from those liquids having normal or inverted thermal miscibility for water and which allow for the thermal separation of a water-rich liquid phase.

Abstract: Process for the separation of water from mixtures of water and formaldehyde, by contacting the mixtures against an organic polymeric membrane, and withdrawing at the other side of the membrane a mixture having a higher concentration of water.

Abstract: Process for the separation of water from mixtures of water and formaldehyde by contacting the mixtures against an organic polymeric membrane, and withdrawing at the other side of the membrane a mixture having a higher concentration of water.

Abstract: Dienes are separated from organic mixtures comprising diene and alkene having one double bond by contacting the mixture against one side of a membrane which is a halogenated polymer of ethylene and withdrawing at the other side a vaporous mixture having increased diene concentration. Exemplary of the organic mixtures is a mixture of butadiene and butene. Exemplary of the membranes are polyvinylchloride and tetrafluoroethylene/ethylene copolymer.

Abstract: Process for the separation of water from mixtures of water and organic or inorganic compounds, soluble in water, by contacting the mixtures against an organic polymeric membrane, and withdrawing at the other side of the membrane a mixture having a higher concentration of water.