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Title: Upgrading heavy oils by solvent dissolution and ultrafiltration

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6227766

A method is described for the separation of a heavy oil diluting the heavy oil with a solvent which is completely miscible with the heavy oil in an amount sufficient to completely dissolve the oil so as to produce an ultrafiltration feed; contacting the ultrafiltration feed with a first side of a continuous generally unswelled organic membrane selected from the group consisting of those comprising cellulose or polyvinylidine fluoride at a pressure between about 750 kPa and about 1500 kPa and at a temperature between 20/sup 0/C. and about 125/sup 0/C.; recovering a permeate fraction enriched in aromatic and saturated hydrocarbons from a second side of the membrane, and recovering a retentate fraction enriched in polar and metal-containing hydrocarbons from the first side of the membrane.

Assignee:
Exxon Research and Engineering Co., Florham Park, NJ
Patent Number(s):
US 4797200
OSTI ID:
6227766
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: Filed date 4 May 1984
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English