Membrane separation of components in a fluid mixture

A method for separating a component from a fluid mixture, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a feed fluid comprising a first organic component and a second organic component that is different from said first component;
• introducing said feed fluid into a membrane separation unit where said feed fluid contacts a membrane;
• separating, in said membrane separation unit, said feed fluid into a permeate portion and a retentate portion, said permeate portion being a portion of said feed fluid passing through said membrane during said separating and said retentate portion being a portion of said feed fluid not passing through said membrane during said separating, said permeate portion being enriched in said first component and depleted in said second component relative to said feed fluid and said retentate portion being depleted in said first component and enriched in said second component relative to said feed fluid;
• removing said retentate portion and said permeate portion from said membrane separation unit;
• wherein, said membrane comprises a first polymer, being an ion exchange polymer having ion exchange sites, and a second polymer interacting with said first polymer to modify the electronic environment of said ion exchange sites.

A method for separating a component from a fluid mixture, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a feed fluid comprising a first organic component and a second organic component that is different from said first component;
• introducing said feed fluid into a membrane separation unit where said feed fluid contacts a membrane;
• separating, in said membrane separation unit, said feed fluid into a permeate portion and a retentate portion, said permeate portion being a portion of said feed fluid passing through said membrane during said separating and said retentate portion being a portion of said feed fluid not passing through said membrane during said separating, said permeate portion being enriched in said first component and depleted in said second component relative to said feed fluid and said retentate portion being depleted in said first component and enriched in said second component relative to said feed fluid;
• removing said retentate portion and said permeate portion from said membrane separation unit;
• wherein, said membrane comprises a first polymer, being an ion exchange polymer having ion exchange sites, and a second polymer, being an electrically conductive polymer.