Abstract: A fuel separation method by which auxiliary fuel is separated from blended gasoline fuel for a flexible fuel vehicle capable of using ethanol-blended gasoline fuel, the method including the following steps (a) and (b): (a) a step in which, when the ethanol concentration is low, the blended gasoline fuel is separated by a polar separating membrane member at a relatively high separation temperature to obtain, at the permeation side of the membrane, a first auxiliary fuel enriched with the aromatic gasoline components and ethanol component, and (b) a step in which, when the ethanol concentration is high, the blended gasoline fuel is separated by a polar separating membrane member at a relatively low second separation temperature to obtain, at the permeation side of the membrane, a second auxiliary fuel enriched with the non-aromatic high-volatile gasoline components.

Abstract: A fuel separation method by which auxiliary fuel is separated from blended gasoline fuel for a flexible fuel vehicle capable of using ethanol-blended gasoline fuel, the method including the following steps (a) and (b): (a) a step in which, when the ethanol concentration is low, the blended gasoline fuel is separated by a polar separating membrane member at a relatively high separation temperature to obtain, at the permeation side of the membrane, a first auxiliary fuel enriched with the aromatic gasoline components and ethanol component, and (b) a step in which, when the ethanol concentration is high, the blended gasoline fuel is separated by a polar separating membrane member at a relatively low second separation temperature to obtain, at the permeation side of the membrane, a second auxiliary fuel enriched with the non-aromatic high-volatile gasoline components.

Abstract: A pervaporation element includes a ceramic monolith having an array of parallel channels separated by porous channel walls extending along an axial length of the monolith, and a functional membrane coating a first plurality of the porous channel walls along the axial length of the monolith. The functional membrane functions to separate a fluid into a retentate portion and a permeate portion. The porous channel walls coated by the functional membrane define a plurality of discrete through segments, where each of the discrete through segments are separated from one another by a plurality of uncoated porous channel walls. Fluid entering the discrete through segments is separated into a retentate portion that exits in substantial portion through the discrete through segments and a permeate portion that exits the ceramic monolith radially outward through the uncoated porous channel walls and through a skin of the monolith.

Abstract: A pervaporation element includes a ceramic monolith having an array of parallel channels separated by porous channel walls extending along an axial length of the monolith, and a functional membrane coating a first plurality of the porous channel walls along the axial length of the monolith. The functional membrane functions to separate a fluid into a retentate portion and a permeate portion. The porous channel walls coated by the functional membrane define a plurality of discrete through segments, where each of the discrete through segments are separated from one another by a plurality of uncoated porous channel walls. Fluid entering the discrete through segments is separated into a retentate portion that exits in substantial portion through the discrete through segments and a permeate portion that exits the ceramic monolith radially outward through the uncoated porous channel walls and through a skin of the monolith.