Membrane process for separating sulfur compounds from FCC light naphtha
AssigneeExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
InventorsBhupender S. Minhas, Michael R. Chuba, Robert J. Saxton
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Abstract
A process for the separation of sulfur compounds from a hydrocarbon mixture using a membrane is provided. Preferred hydrocarbon mixtures are oil refining fractions such as light cracked naphtha. Membranes are composed of either ionic or non-ionic materials and preferentially permeate sulfur compounds over other hydrocarbons. A single or multi-stage membrane system separates the hydrocarbon mixture into a sulfur-rich fraction and a sulfur-lean fraction. The sulfur-lean fraction may be used in fuel mixtures and the sulfur-rich fraction may be further treated for sulfur reduction.
Claims19
A process for separating sulfur compounds from a liquid hydrocarbon mixture containing at least one organic sulfur compound and hydrocarbons comprising the steps of:
- (a) contacting said hydrocarbon mixture with a first compartment of a membrane module, said membrane module further comprising a second compartment and a hydrophilic membrane separating said first compartment and said second compartment;
- (b) selectively permeating said sulfur compounds of said hydrocarbon mixture through said membrane such that a sulfur-rich fraction collects in said second compartment and a sulfur-lean fraction is retained in said first compartment;
- and
- (c) retrieving said sulfur-rich fraction from said second compartment and said sulfur-lean fraction from said first compartment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.