Separating hydrocarbon mixtures by emulsification

Abstract

The instant invention relates to a process for separating components from liquid mixtures which comprises emulsifying said liquid mixture in an immiscible liquid which is characterized as a solvent for the components. The emulsion is then contacted with an inert gas whereby the components of the mixture, because of their solubility, permeate into said immiscible liquid, and are stripped therefrom by the inert gas. The components may then be separated from said inert gas stream by condensation and subsequent phase separation or fractionation, by absorption, distillation or by adsorption. In a preferred embodiment of the instant invention the liquid mixture comprises a hydrocarbon which is emulsified in an aqueous surfactant containing liquid. The hydrocarbon containing mixture contains hydrocarbons of different types, as well as hydrocarbons mixed with oxygenated compounds, i.e. alcohols, ketones, acids, and mixtures thereof. In a particular embodiment the hydrocarbon containing mixture contains toluene and heptane. In this embodiment the toluene preferentially permeates into said aqueous surfactant containing liquid and is removed therefrom by a stream of stripping steam.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.