LIQUID MEMBRANE PERMEATION OF AROMATIC-HYDROCARBONS IN LPG CONDENSATE

Experimental data on batch permeation of aromatic hydrocarbons from li quefied petroleum gas (LPG) condensate and model benzene/3,3-dimethyl pentane and benzene/2,2-dimethyl-hexane mixtures in emulsion liquid me mbranes have been presented. Use of lipophilic surfactant in the solve nt phase was found to enhance both yield and selectivity, the effect b eing more pronounced in the case of surfactant with moderate HLB value . Solvent with high boiling point and density was also found to be sui table, but the aromatic yield and selectivity were relatively low. Yie ld of, and separation factor for, total aromatics in LPG condensate we re found to be lower than those observed for model hydrocarbon mixture s. However, the yield and separation factors for benzene alone are the highest and comparable to those for the model mixture. Up to 75% of b enzene present in feed LPG condensate could be separated via liquid me mbrane permeation under suitable conditions.