US5015268A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Polymeric membrane and process for separating aliphatically unsaturated hydrocarbons
Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
•
Filing: 1989-09-19
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Granted: 1991-05-14
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Expires: 2009-09-19
Abstract
Abstract A membrane is provided for separating aliphatically unsaturated hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon mixtures, the membrane comprising a hydrophilic polymer which contains metals capable of complexing with aliphatically unsaturated hydrocarbons.
Inventors
- 👤 W. S. Winston Ho
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:46
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10G; C10G31/00; C10G31/11; B; B01; B01D; B01D69/00; B01D69/14; B01D69/141; B01D69/142
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
Process for separating at least one unsaturated hydrocarbon from a hydrocarbon feed stream containing said hydrocarbon by the steps of: a. contacting the feed stream against a first side of a solid, homogeneous membrane consisting essentially of a hydrophilic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylalcohol, polyvinylacetate, sulfonyl containing polymers, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene oxide, polyacrylamide, copolymers thereof, and blends thereof, and a metal or metal ion capable of reversibly complexing with the unsaturated hydrocarbon, said metal or metal ion is distributed homogeneously in said hydrophilic polymer; and b. withdrawing at a second side of the membrane a permeate comprising the unsaturated hydrocarbon in higher concentration than in the feed stream; whereby said membrane provides high permeability and selectivity for unsaturated hydrocarbons and substantially increases the rate at which said permeate is withdrawn.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
Process for separating at least one unsaturated hydrocarbon from a hydrocarbon feed stream containing said hydrocarbon by the steps of: a. contacting the feed stream against a first side of a solid, homogeneous membrane consisting essentially of a hydrophilic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylalcohol, polyvinylacetate, sulfonyl containing polymers, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene oxide, polyacrylamide, copolymers thereof, and blends thereof, and a metal or metal ion capable of reversibly complexing with the unsaturated hydrocarbon, said metal or metal ion is distributed homogeneously in said hydrophilic polymer; and b. withdrawing at a second side of the membrane a permeate comprising the unsaturated hydrocarbon in higher concentration than in the feed stream; whereby said membrane provides high permeability and selectivity for unsaturated hydrocarbons and substantially increases the rate at which said permeate is withdrawn.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
10 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the polymer is crosslinked.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the polymer is crosslinked by contacting with a crosslinking agent under conditions suitable to promote crosslinking.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the crosslinking agent is selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde, divinyl sulfone, toluene diisocyanate, and other cross-linking agents including glyoxal, trimethylol malamine, terephthalaldehyde, epichlorohydrin, vinyl acrylate, and maleic anhydride.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the metal of metal ion is selected from the transition metals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the metal or metal ion is silver.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the feed stream is in the vapor state.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the second side of the membrane is swept by a gas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
10 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the gas is nitrogen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the unsaturated hydrocarbon is an olefin and the hydrocarbon feedstream contains paraffins.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the hydrocarbon feed stream comprises at least one olefin isomer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 11 wherein the olefin isomer is selected from 1-butene, isobutylene and 2-butene.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The membrane of claim 1 wherein said membrane has a thickness in the range between about 0.1-15 microns.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-05-13 | 1994-11-12 | 1995-05-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-05-13 | 1998-11-12 | 1999-05-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-05-13 | 2002-11-12 | 2003-05-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |