Dewatering Membrane for Hazy Hydrodesulfurization Unit Effluents

Refinery product streams, particularly those from Ultra Low Hydrodesulfurisation units, are prone to haze due to water emulsions. Hazy fuel cannot be used until the haze is removed, which creates costly scheduling and shipping delays. This project will develop a novel membrane process to rapidly remove fuel haze in real time. The process would be expected to operate on a once-through basis. Phase I will fabricate novel membrane systems targeted specifically for removal of dissolved and dispersed water from fuels. Once fabricated, the membrane system will be tested under a wide variety of water-fuel conditions to demonstrate removal of haze. An economic analysis will be performed, based on the data from earlier tasks. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: This platform technology should have large impact on a number of areas of interest to the Department of Energy. In addition to the removal of haze from fuel, applications include enhancing chemical reactors by removing by-product water, drying pipeline ethanol and other organics, and stabilizing hydraulic fluid by removing water.