Mixed matrix membranes for olefin/paraffin separation and method of making thereof
AssigneeBettergy Corp.
InventorsZHONG TANG, Bo Lu, Xiaojuan Hu, Tuyen Pham, Lin-Feng Li
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Abstract
The invention provides mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for olefin/paraffin separation and methodes of making and using the same. The MMMs comprise a continuous polymer matrix with metal doped zeolite nano-particles. A separation technology based upon the composite membranes is effective for propylene and other olefin separation from olefin/paraffin mixtures, and the separation is more energy-efficient than the conventional cryogenic technique.
Claims30
A mixed matrix membrane for use in separating olefins from an olefin/paraffin mixture, comprising particles of metal-doped molecular sieves dispersed in a matrix of polymeric material.
An apparatus for separating a mixture comprising an olefin and a paraffin, the apparatus comprising:
- a source of a stream which includes an olefin and a paraffin;
- a closed container body having an inlet coupled to said source, a first outlet for discharge of an olefin enriched stream, and a second outlet for discharge of an olefin depleted stream;
- and
- a mixed matrix membrane disposed in said body between said inlet and said first outlet, wherein the membrane comprises particles of metal-doped molecular sieves dispersed in a matrix of polymeric material.
A method of forming a mixed matrix membrane, comprising the steps of:
- suspending a metal-doped molecular sieve in a solvent to form a suspension;
- dissolving a polymer into the suspension to form a precursor;
- at least one of:
- casting the precursor onto a plate;
- and
- spinning the precursor;
- drying the precursor in a vacuum at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time;
- immerging the dried precursor into water to form at least one of:
- flat sheets;
- and
- hollow fibers;
- and
- drying the at least one of flat sheets and hollow fibers in a vacuum at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.