Removal of sulfur from a hydrocarbon through a selective membrane
US6736961B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 30, 2001 |
| Grant date | May 18, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 30, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC10G31/11
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process for removing sulfur from a hydrocarbon employs a solid membrane. A feed stream is provided containing a feed liquid hydrocarbon and a feed sulfur species and a sweep stream is provided containing a sweep liquid hydrocarbon. A relatively large quantity of the feed stream is conveyed past one side of the solid membrane, while a relatively small quantity of the sweep stream is conveyed past the opposite side of the solid membrane. The feed sulfur species is transported in a permeate from the feed stream through the solid membrane to the sweep stream. As a result, the feed stream is converted to a relatively large quantity of a substantially sulfur-free reject stream containing a primary hydrocarbon product, while the sweep stream combines with the permeate to produce a relatively small quantity of a sulfur-enriched stream, which is amenable to further processing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.