Upgrading of solvent extracted athabasca bitumen by membrane ultrafiltration
Polysulfone membranes made from Union Carbide Udel PI1700 and ICI Victrex 200P, machine cast onto a spun bonded polyester or polyethylene backing, were evaluated for their ability to separate bitumen solutions into heavy and light oil fractions. Membranes were tested in a batch operation, using a plate and frame device. Permeate was continuously collected while the concentrate was returned to the feed tank. Typical operating conditions were 30-60/sup 0/C with a trans-membrane pressure differential of 2 to 3 MPa. Permeate flux was determined at several recovery levels and samples were analysed for nitrogen, sulphur and heavy metals content. Molecular weight distributions of the feed and permeate revealed that the molecular weight cut-off of the membranes, in hydrocarbons, was considerably lower than the cut-off determined by aqueous characterisation. The major effect of the membranes was the removal of heavy metal containing high molecular weight asphaltenes.
- OSTI ID:
- 5368739
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-870822-
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: American Institute of Chemical Engineers summer national meeting, Minneapolis, MN, USA, 16 Aug 1987; Other Information: Technical Paper 7D
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
09 BIOMASS FUELS
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ASPHALTENES
MATERIALS RECOVERY
BITUMENS
SOLVENT EXTRACTION
ULTRAFILTRATION
POLYESTERS
CASTING
POLYETHYLENES
MEMBRANE TRANSPORT
METALS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
ASPHALTS
ELEMENTS
ESTERS
EXTRACTION
FABRICATION
FILTRATION
MANAGEMENT
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLYMERS
POLYOLEFINS
PROCESSING
RECOVERY
TAR
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
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Lignite
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090122 - Hydrocarbon Fuels- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass- (1976-1989)
320303 - Energy Conservation
Consumption
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360601 - Other Materials- Preparation & Manufacture