US 7,497,895 B2
Membrane separation process
Craig Y. Sabottke, Baton Rouge, La. (US)
Assigned to ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, Annandale, N.J. (US)
Filed on Nov. 18, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/283,215.
Prior Publication US 2007/0114177 A1, May 24, 2007
Int. Cl. B01D 53/22 (2006.01); B01D 61/36 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 95—45  [95/46; 95/49; 95/50; 95/52; 95/54; 96/4; 210/640; 210/321.72; 210/188] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A separation process, comprising:
(a) contacting a feed stream with a first surface of a membrane unit containing at least one membrane, with the feed stream containing at least a first species and a second species;
(b) selectively absorbing at least the first species into the first surface;
(c) selectively permeating at least the first species through the membrane from the first surface to an opposed second surface using a vacuum on the second surface in order to form a permeate rich in the first species and lean in the second species compared to the feed stream, the vacuum being produced by a fluid conducted through a converging/diverging nozzle, wherein the fluid comprises at least one solvent that is poorly miscible with and/or of low solubility in the permeate;
(d) conducting the permeate from the second surface into a heat exchanger whereby the permeate is partially condensed;
(e) conducting the partially condensed permeate into the nozzle and into the fluid in order to form an effluent comprising at least a portion of the permeate and the fluid; and
(f) separating the permeate from the fluid.