Methods of filtering hydrocarbons from an aqueous mixture
AssigneeKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology
InventorsSara Livazovic, Suzana Nunes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of separating hydrocarbons in an aqueous mixture comprising exposing the aqueous mixture to a cellulose/ionic liquid membrane, wherein the aqueous mixture includes hydrocarbons, and removing the hydrocarbons from the aqueous mixture as the aqueous mixture flows through the cellulose/ionic liquid membrane, wherein the hydrocarbons do not flow through the cellulose/ionic liquid membrane. A filter system, comprising a cellulose/ionic liquid membrane used as the filter to separate hydrocarbons from an aqueous mixture.
Claims12
A method of separating hydrocarbons in an aqueous mixture, comprising:
- exposing an aqueous mixture to a cellulose/ionic liquid membrane, wherein the aqueous mixture is oilfield produced water including hydrocarbon droplets smaller than 10 microns, and wherein the aqueous mixture further comprises an anionic surfactant and has an acid pH;
- and
- removing the hydrocarbons from the aqueous mixture as the aqueous mixture flows through the cellulose/ionic liquid membrane, wherein the cellulose/ionic liquid membrane prevents the passage of the hydrocarbons through the membrane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.