Process For Molecular Separation Of Hydrocarbons Using Nanopore Membranes

A process for molecular separation of hydrocarbon, wherein said process comprises the steps of:

• passing a hydrocarbon feedstock with/without a separation enhancing additive(s) through nanopore membranes to produce a permeate stream of lighter molecular hydrocarbon having boiling point below 330° C. and a retentate stream of heavier molecular hydrocarbon having boiling point above 550° C.;
• measuring the refractive indices of the streams and accordingly differentiating said permeate stream and the retentate stream with respect to their respective refractive indices;
• recovering a permeate stream that has 70-90% reduced asphaltenes, metals, sulfur and CCR compared to feed stream;
• and recycling the retentate stream having enriched impurities back for further purification until the recovery reaches to maximum;
• wherein said permeate stream has lesser metals, sulfur and Conradson Carbon Residue while said retentate stream has higher metals, sulfur and Conradson Carbon Residue as compared to the feedstock and said process enables removal of inorganic and organic contaminants from the hydrocarbon feedstock in an energy-efficient and eco-friendly process.