Robust Polymeric Membranes for the Separation of Petrochemicals using Pervaporation

Utilization of membranes offers the promise of extraordinary energy savings if successfully applied to hydrocarbon-hydrocarbon and other organic separations. Membranes are bound to enter into refining and petrochemical operations involving liquid separations once appropriate materials and modules are developed. Hybrid processes such as utilizing membrane modules to break azeotropes formed during distillation are particularly attractive because they offer less process complexity and reduced capital investment[1,2].(omitted)