Fuel Processing Technology, Vol.38, No.1, 17-30, 1994
LIQUID MEMBRANE PERMEATION OF AROMATIC-HYDROCARBONS IN LPG CONDENSATE
Experimental data on batch permeation of aromatic hydrocarbons from liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) condensate and model benzene/3,3-dimethyl pentane and benzene/2,2-dimethyl-hexane mixtures in emulsion liquid membranes have been presented. Use of lipophilic surfactant in the solvent phase was found to enhance both yield and selectivity, the effect being more pronounced in the case of surfactant with moderate HLB value. Solvent with high boiling point and density was also found to be suitable, but the aromatic yield and selectivity were relatively low. Yield of, and separation factor for, total aromatics in LPG condensate were found to be lower than those observed for model hydrocarbon mixtures. However, the yield and separation factors for benzene alone are the highest and comparable to those for the model mixture. Up to 75% of benzene present in feed LPG condensate could be separated via liquid membrane permeation under suitable conditions.
Keywords:SURFACTANT MEMBRANES;SEPARATION