Abstract: Non-normal, branched paraffins (isoparaffins) are separated from hydrocarbon feeds comprising mixtures of isoparaffins and normal paraffins by the procedure involving the steps of contacting the hydrocarbon feed with one face of a non-selective, microporous partition barrier membrane while simultaneously contacting the opposite face of said membrane, preferably in countercurrent flow, with a polar solvent. The isoparaffins in the feed selectively permeate across the porous partition barrier membrane in response to the polar solvent to the solvent side of the membrane whereby a permeate enriched in isoparaffins and a retentate of decreased isoparaffin content as compared to the feed are obtained.

Abstract: Naphthenic hydrocarbons are separated from aliphatic rich hydrocarbon feeds comprising mixtures of naphthenes with paraffinic hydrocarbons by a membrane extraction process whereby the hydrocarbon feed is contacted with one face of a porous, non-selective partition barrier membrane while simultaneously contacting the other side of said membrane with a polar solvent such as ethylenediamine. The naphthenic hydrocarbon preferentially migrates through the porous membrane partition barrier in response to the polar solvent present on the permeate side of the barrier.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for separating aromatic/non-aromatic mixtures a membrane comprised of a multi-block polymeric material comprising an ester prepolymer made by combining an (A) epoxy with a (B) dianhydride or its corresponding tetraacid or diacid-diester in an A/B mole ratio ranging from about 2.0 to 1.05, preferably about 2.0 to 1.1, chain extended with a second, different compatible prepolymer selected from the group of prepolymers comprising (a) and (A) diisocyanate combined with a monomer selected from (B) epoxy, polyester, dianhydride or it corresponding tetraacid or diacid-diester, and diamine in an A/B mole ratio ranging from about 2.0 to 1.05, preferably about 2.0 to 1.1, (b) and (A) dianhydride or its corresponding tetraacid or diacid-diester combined with a monomer selected from (B) diisocyanate, polyester, and diamine in an A/B mole ratio ranging from about 2.0 to 1.05, preferably about 2.0 to 1.

Abstract: The yield, raffinate product quality, and throughput of the selective solvent extraction of hydrocarbon feeds is improved by subjecting the hydrocarbon feeds from which aromatic hydrocarbons are to be selectively solvent extracted to a membrane separation process which selectively permeates aromatics through the membranes to produce a permeate rich in aromatics and a retentate rich in saturates and 1-ring aromatics and subjecting this retentate to the selective solvent extraction process.

Abstract: The separation of aromatic hydrocarbons from mixtures of aromatic and non-aromatic hydrocarbon feeds under pervaporation conditions, is improved by the control of the amount of oxygen present in the feed. The amount of oxygen in the feed, such as heavy cat naphtha or other cracked feed, should be less than 30 wppm, preferably less than 10 wppm. The oxygen level in the feed can be controlled by the addition of small amount of oxygen scavenger into the feed. Hindered phenols are representative of useful oxygen scavengers.

Abstract: A new membrane for the separation of aromatic hydrocarbons from mixtures of said aromatic hydrocarbons and non-aromatic hydrocarbons has been prepared comprising a highly aromatic polyurethane membrane. These highly aromatic polyurea/urethane membranes are symmetric, dense film membranes made from the corresponding polyurea/urethane copolymers by standard membrane casting techniques. The polyurea/urethane copolymers are produced by reacting dihydroxy or polyhydroxy compounds, such as polyethers or polyesters having molecular weights in the range of about 500 to 5000 with aliphatic, alkylaromatic or aromatic diisocyanates or polyisocyanates and low molecular weight chain extenders, such as diamines, polyamines or amino alcohols.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a process for the selective separation of at least one component of a gaseous feedstream comprising passing the feedstream containing the component through a separation unit, the separation unit containing a porous membrane having a feed side and a permeate side, and a pore size of from about 10 Angstroms to about 200 Angstroms, and having disposed in the pores of the porous membrane a facilitator liquid comprising a carrier dissolved in a suitable solvent, including:a) dissolving the component in the facilitator liquid on the feed side of the porous membrane at the feed gas/membrane interface;b) forming a component-carrier complex;c) diffusing the complex to the permeate side of the porous membrane; andd) releasing the component from the carrier.

Abstract: A new membrane for the separation of aromatic hydrocarbons from mixtures of said aromatic hydrocarbons and non-aromatic hydrocarbons has been prepared comprising a highly aromatic polyurea/urethane membrane. These highly aromatic polyurea/urethane membranes are symmetric, dense film membranes made from the corresponding polyurea/urethane copolymers by standard membrane casting techniques. The polyurea/urethane copolymers are produced by reacting dihydroxy or polyhydroxy compounds, such as polyethers or polyesters having molecular weights in the range of about 500 to 5000 with aliphatic, alkylaromatic or aromatic diisocyanates or polyisocyanates and low molecular weight chain extenders, such as diamines, polyamines or amino alcohols.

Abstract: Heavy resid oils are upgraded by a thermal treatment under liquid coking conditions to evolve two at least partially immiscible liquid phases. The lighter gas oil phase is then separated from the heavier liquid coke phase by decantation.

Abstract: Improved hydrocarbon vacuum distillation process wherein the process steps include introducing a feed which contains liquid hydrocarbons and vaporous hydrocarbons into an inlet section (3) of a distillation column (1) operating at a subatmospheric pressure, removing liquid from a bottom section (6) of the distillation column (1), allowing vapor to pass through three condensation sections (13b, 13a and 13) arranged above each other in the distillation column (1) between the inlet section (3) and a top section (8), removing vapor from the top section (8), spraying into each condensation section (13, 13a and 13b) cooled liquid, and removing liquid from each condensation section (13, 13a and 13b), wherein the cooled liquid which is sprayed into each condensation section (13, 13a and 13b) includes liquid removed from that condensation section (13, 13a and 13b), and wherein the cooled liquid which is sprayed in the uppermost condensation section (13) further includes liquid removed from the condensation sections (1

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for preparing and treating a heavy oil extraction solvent. A solvent fraction is separated from a crude oil and combined with a slip stream of rerun solvent taken from an extraction process solvent recycle system. The solvent fraction and rerun solvent are fractionated to provide a purified extraction solvent. The purified extraction solvent is then utilized in the heavy oil extraction process.

Abstract: Dewaxed oil containing dewaxing solvent from solvent dewaxing is treated by contact with a separating membrane to yield a retentate containing increased content of dewaxed oil and decreased content of dewaxing solvent and a permeate which contains increased content of dewaxing solvent and decreased content of dewaxing oil--the membrane including a polyimine layer which has been cross-linked with polyisocyanate or poly(carbonyl chloride).

Abstract: A furfural-containing middle distillate stream is separated by use of a polyethyleneimine membrane which has been cross-linked with a polyisocyanate or a poly(carbonyl chloride) cross-linking agent.

Abstract: A process for separating methane from a gaseous mixture containing methane and carbon dioxide by concentration is disclosed, which comprises contacting said gaseous mixture with a membrane comprising a film of a polyimide resin having a repeating unit represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a divalent aromatic, alicyclic or aliphatic hydrocarbon group, or a divalent organic group composed of these hydrocarbon groups linked via a divalent organic linking group. The membrane exhibits excellent selective permeability to carbon dioxide, enabling efficient and stable separation of methane.

Abstract: Membrane separation under perstraction conditions of a lube oil distillate is disclosed which produces a retentate rich in non-aromatics hydrocarbons and alkyl aromatic and a permeate rich in multi-ring aromatics. The recovered retentate is similar to a solvent extracted raffinate but possesses a higher concentration of alkyl-single ring aromatics. The membrane separation process is highly selective for removing multi-ring aromatics from the lube distillate.

Abstract: Improved separation of feed streams containing multiple components is effected by means of a multi membrane staged pervaporation process wherein each membrane stage is series is run as progressively higher temperature, stronger vacuum or both than the preceding stage. This process is especially useful for separating components from wide boiling range mixtures.

Abstract: A pervaporation process for separating organic contaminants from evaporator condensate streams is disclosed. The process employs a permselective membrane that is selectively permeable to an organic component of the condensate. The process involves contacting the feed side of the membrane with a liquid condensate stream, and withdrawing from the permeate side a vapor enriched in the organic component. The driving force for the process is the in vapor pressure across the membrane. This difference may be provided for instance by maintaining a vacuum on the permeate side, or by condensing the permeate. The process offers a simple, economic alternative to other separation techniques.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reducing the cloud point of materials comprising the steps of chilling the waxy oil so as to achieve submicron crystallization followed by ultrafiltration thereby effecting separation of a permeate of reduced cloud point from a retentate. Chilling to produce submicron crystallization is to a temperature about 3.degree. C. or less above the cloud point of the material, preferably from 0.5.degree. to 2.degree. C. above the cloud point of the material, most preferably between 1.degree. to 2.degree. C. above the cloud point of the material. In general any mixture, solution or melt containing components which crystallize at different temperatures can be separated by this procedure. The method is especially useful for reducing the cloud point of waxy hydrocarbon oils.

Abstract: Thin film membranes of polyurea, polyureapolyurethane alloy, polyurea-polyurea/urethane alloy or polyurea/urethane are prepared by deposition of a thin film of suspension of the selected polymer on a thick permeable support layer by the technique of preparing a suspension of the selected polymer in a solvent which does not dissolve the thick permeable support layer and permitting the solvent to evaporate and/or permeate through the thick-permeable layer.

Abstract: A process for recovery of hydrocarbon (C.sub.2.sup.+) containing at least two carbon atoms per molecule (e.g. LPG) from a fluid feed containing C.sub.2.sup.+ hydrocarbons and components having at most one carbon atom per molecule (e.g. refinery gas) comprising the following steps:(i) contacting the fluid feed with one side of at least one membrane which is substantially non-permeable for C.sub.2.sup.30 hydrocarbons and removing a first fluid (permeate) containing a substantial amount of components having at most one carbon atom per molecule from the other side of the membrane(s), and(ii) fractionating fluid (retentate) obtained from the one side of the membrane(s) into at least a product containing C.sub.2.sup.30 hydrocarbons and a gaseous product.

Abstract: Improved product stripping in a catalytic hydrodesulfurization (CHD) product stream is obtained by employing off-gas from the unit as a stripping medium. The compressed off-gas is introduced into the stripper below the stripper feed level. The stripper may be operated at pressures higher than those previously employed in CHD product strippers and this permits LPG recovery to be maximized with lower product sulfur levels and reduced load in the off-gas compressor.

Abstract: Process for separating a fluid feed mixture containing hydrocarbon oil and an organic solvent (e.g. obtained from a furfural extraction unit) by contacting said fluid feed mixture at elevated pressure with one side of a hydrocarbon oil-selective membrane containing a layer of a silicone polymer which is substantially impermeable to said organic solvent and recovering hydrocarbon oil permeate from the other side of the membrane.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for upgrading heavy oils for use in subsequent hydrocarbon processing. The process is especially suitable for removing metals which are in the form of nickel or vanadium organic compounds and for lowering the Conradson Carbon Residue of the resulting oil. The process includes the steps of diluting the heavy oil with a solvent which completely solvates the oil and subjecting the resulting mixture to an ultrafiltration step using selected membranes.

Abstract: A hydrotreatment method, for example, hydroviscoreduction or hydrodesulfurization in which the charge of hydrocarbons is reacted with hydrogen in contact with a catalyst finely dispersed in the liquid phase. To separate the product from the catalyst, the effluent freed from its accompanying free gas is passed along, and in contact with the upstream wall of a porous inorganic membrane. The oil that has not been filtered contains a concentrate of catalyst and is recycled to the hydrotreatment reactor. The filtered oil constitutes the product of the method.

Abstract: Heavy crude oils which contain metal contaminants such as nickel, vanadium and iron may be separated from light hydrocarbon oils by passing a solution of the crude oil dissolved in a cycloparaffinic hydrocarbon solvent containing from about 5 to about 8 carbon atoms by passing through a polymeric membrane which is capable of maintaining its integrity in the presence of hydrocarbon compounds. The light hydrocarbon oils which possess relatively low molecular weights will be recovered as the permeate while the heavy oils which possess relatively high molecular weights as well as the metal contaminants will be recovered as the retentate.

Abstract: The invention is a process for the separation of solvents from hydrocarbons dissolved in the solvents which comprises contacting at elevated pressure a feed solution comprising hydrocarbons dissolved in an aromatic solvent and a polar aliphatic solvent with one side of a dense membrane which is substantially impermeable to the hydrocarbons, and which membrane comprises a layer of a halogen-substituted silicon compound, and recovering the solvents from the other side of the membrane.

Abstract: It has been discovered that cellulose acetate membranes, fabricated using nonaqueous solvent systems, can be used for the separation of polar solvents, especially ketone dewaxing solvents from dewaxed oil. The cellulose acetate membranes so prepared are of a reduced acetyl content and exhibit very good resistance to ketone solvents. The specific fabrication procedure avoids exposing the cellulose acetate to even transient mixtures of ketone and alcohol or ketone and water. Although the cellulose acetate polymer is insoluble in pure water, alcohol, or ketone it is soluble in mixtures of ketone-alcohol and ketone-water.The resulting membrane is an effective means for separating ketone dewaxing solvent from dewaxed oil.

Abstract: In an electrolytic silver refining process, crude silver is anodically dissolved while refined silver is cathodically deposited and at the accompanying (impurity) metals are selectively extracted from the used (spent) electrolyte and transferred to an aqueous phase. The used electrolyte is enriched in silver and accompanying metals are cathodically deposited and thus removed from the electrolyte. For this purpose, a specific electrolysis cell is provided. The cell being preferably a diaphragm cell with an anionic diaphragm. The extraction of the accompanying metals is achieved by liquid membrane permeation, preferably combined with solvent extraction.

Abstract: In the production of alkylaromatics by the alkylation of aromatic hydrocarbons with alkylating agents such as olefins typically in the presence of a catalyst, the unconverted aromatic hydrocarbon remaining after completion of the alkylation process is separated from the alkylaromatic product and the terminal alkylaromatic isomers are separated from the mixture of alkylaromatic isomers produced in the alkylation process by the selective permeation of the aromatic hydrocarbon and the terminal isomers through a permselective membrane, preferably an asymmetric membrane producing a permeate rich in the terminal isomers and a retentate which is lean (i.e., depleated) in the terminal isomers. Permeation is under reverse osmosis conditions, that is, under a pressure sufficient to at least overcome the osmotic pressure of the aromatic hydrocarbon present in the mixture made up of the aromatic hydrocarbon, the olefin and the mixed isomer alkylaromatic product.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for producing high quality aromatic solvents in the middle distillate range containing 95.sup.+ % aromatics by contacting the liquid feed with a perm selective membrane under pressure thereby selectively permeating the aromatic components as the high quality solvents. This separation can be performed by contacting the feed stream in combination with a low boiling light polar aromatics extraction solvent (such as acetonitrile) with the membrane. The middle distillate feed has a molecular weight range of about 120 to 250 g/mole and an aromatic content of 75 to 90 volume percent aromatics and preferably 80 to 90 volume percent aromatics. The membranes which can be employed to effect this separation are selected from the group of regenerated cellulose, cellulose acetate and polyimide membranes, preferably the polyimide membranes.

Abstract: In an atmospheric distillation tower of a coal liquefaction process, tower materials corrosion is reduced or eliminated by introduction of boiling point differentiated streams to boiling point differentiated tower regions.

Abstract: Selective extraction solvents such as NMP, phenol or furfural employed for the extraction of specialty oils, i.e. lubricating, transformer and insulating oils, to remove undesirable aromatic components therefrom, is itself recovered from the extract stream and/or raffinate streams by preferential ultrafiltration through selective membranes of regenerated cellulose. The extract stream, because of its higher solvent content, is the preferred stream for solvent recovery treatment by the reverse osmosis membrane permeation technique. Solvent recovery employing membrane permeation exhibits the advantage of not being energy intensive as is distillation or stripping. The solvent is recovered at a high enough flux rate and at a high enough level of purity to be introduced back into the solvent extraction process optionally at some point in the process wherein the composition of the recovered solvent approximately matches the composition of the solvent present in the process at the point of introduction.

Abstract: A method for separating a mixture into a first fraction and a second fraction is disclosed. The method comprises passing the mixture into a decantation zone where the solution is separated into a first fraction relatively rich in a first compound and a second fraction relatively deficient in the first compound. One of the separated fractions subsequently is passed to a membrane separation zone for further purification. The subject invention is of particular utility in petroleum processing, where the solution passed to the decantation zone may be a petroleum processing fraction, such as filtrate from a dewaxing zone or an extract or raffinate from an extraction separation zone.

Abstract: A warm-up deoiling process for lube oil slack wax wherein cold slack wax from a solvent dewaxing operation is warmed up and mixed with solvent to dissolve foots oil contained therein and passed to a rotary drum filter to recover solid wax and a filtrate comprising a solution of foots oil and solvent wherein said filtrate is contacted with one side of a semi-permeable membrane made from regenerated cellulose which selectivity permeates at least a portion of solvent through said membrane and recycling the permeated solvent directly back into the warm-up deoiling operation as part of the solvent mixed with the slack wax.

Abstract: A coker blow down recovery system for recovering additional ueful fuel components such as C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 hydrocarbons from a coker vessel is disclosed. A significant reduction in sulfur components contained in coker blow down gases, e.g., fuel gases, is also achieved.

Abstract: A process for separating petroleum distillation residues into a lower boiling fraction and a higher boiling fraction. The separation is effected with the aid of a process gas under super-critical conditions of temperature and pressure such that the gas selectively takes up the lower boiling fraction. By suitable selection of the gas, the process can be carried out at relatively low temperature, and with low input energy requirements when performed with recycling of the process gas.

Abstract: A process for separating an aromatic hydrocarbon of the general formula ##STR1## wherein R represents an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms andn is 0, 1, 2, or 3 (and wherein the groups R, when n is 2 or 3 can be the same or different),From a mixture comprising said compound and one or more aliphatic hydrocarbon, cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon, alcohol, ether, ketone or a carboxylic acid ester which comprises contacting said mixture with a polyurethane membrane.

Abstract: A method of isolating individual normal alkanes from petroleum stock, wherein the petroleum stock is contacted with crystalline carbamide in the presence of an activator at a temperature which is the upper limit for a given individual normal alkane to be isolated, having maximum molecular weight for the given stock, to complex with crystalline carbamide, the result being a complex of said alkane with the carbamide. The residual stock is taken off from the complex formed. The complex is washed with an individual normal alkane similar to the isolated one, heated up to the temperature 2.degree.-5.degree. C higher than its decomposition point and the individual normal alkane, having maximum molecular weight for the given stock, is isolated. Individual normal alkanes are isolated in succession in order of decreasing molecular weights from the stock taken off from the formed complex of the normal alkane, following the technology described above.The proposed method provides individual normal alkanes up to 99.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a process for separating components from liquid mixtures which comprises emulsifying said liquid mixture in an immiscible liquid which is characterized as a solvent for the components. The emulsion is then contacted with an inert gas whereby the components of the mixture, because of their solubility, permeate into said immiscible liquid, and are stripped therefrom by the inert gas. The components may then be separated from said inert gas stream by condensation and subsequent phase separation or fractionation, by absorption, distillation or by adsorption. In a preferred embodiment of the instant invention the liquid mixture comprises a hydrocarbon which is emulsified in an aqueous surfactant containing liquid. The hydrocarbon containing mixture contains hydrocarbons of different types, as well as hydrocarbons mixed with oxygenated compounds, i.e. alcohols, ketones, acids, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The process of separating a mixture which is in liquid state or solid state or liquid and solid state and contains at least one compound containing an organic group, which comprisesA. contacting said mixture with a gas maintained under supercritical conditions of temperature and pressure such that the gas will take up at least a portion of said mixture in a quantity varying inversely with said temperature, and effecting said contacting in a manner so that this occurs, and so that there is a substantial gas component that is identifiable as gas phase,B. separating the gas in the form of said identifiable gas phase loaded with the compound taken up during said contacting from any of the mixture not taken up by the gas while still maintaining supercritical conditions as aforesaid,C. thereafter separating the compound from the gas.

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: Hydrocarbons are reacted with a tri-halogenoacetate of the formula ##EQU1## wherein X, Y and Z each represents a halogen atom and M represents a mono valent metal of group Ib to form the corresponding complexes, and then the thus formed complexes are decomposed to selectively separate the desired hydrocarbon components. The used tri-halogenoacetate also is recovered by the decomposition of the complexes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for separating mixtures of hydrocarbons, notably conjugated diene hydrocarbons or aromatic hydrocarbons, from mixtures containing the same, by the general technique of permeation or pervaporation through specific membranes.The specific membranes used are formed of a high polymer comprising functional groups chemically combined by covalent bonding within the polymer forming the said membrane, the said groups possessing a physicochemical affinity, notably a capacity to complex, with respect to one of said hydrocarbons and, substantially, the absence of such a capacity with respect to other hydrocarbons of the mixture. For the separation of dienes, such as butadiene and pentadiene, membranes are used containing active nitrile, pyrrolidone, N-substituted groups, such as N-alkyl groups, preferably N-vinyl or N-methyl-pyrrolidone. The membrane can be obtained, for example, by copolymerization of butadiene with acrylonitrile, with the membrane containing about 2.