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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Membrane process for drying liquid hydrocarbons

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5793957
This patent describes a prevaporation process for dehydrating liquid hydrocarbons. It comprises contacting the upstream side of an asymmetric or composite semi-permeable membrane with a mixture comprised of at least one C{sub 4{minus}15} liquid hydrocarbon and water, at temperatures and pressures at which the liquid hydrocarbon(s) are dehydrated, wherein the semi-permeable membrane is permeable to water and impermeable to liquid hydrocarbons and comprises a substantially homogeneous and substantially continuous discriminating layer having a thickness of less than about 1 micron and consisting of a cellulosic polymer selected from the group consisting of cellulose esters and cellulose ethers, contacting the downstream side of the membrane with an inert sweep gas or vacuum under conditions such that a chemical potential gradient exists across the membrane such that the water selectively permeates through the membrane; removing the permeated water from the downstream side of the membrane; and removing the nonpermeated liquid C{sub 4{minus}15} hydrocarbon(s) from the upstream side of the membrane.
Assignee:
Dow Chemical Co., Midland, MI (United States)
Patent Number(s):
A; US 5049259
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-301695
OSTI ID:
5793957
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English