Spiral-Wound Modules as Novel Structured Packing for Distillation

78313S Distillation is the principal separation technology used by the U.S. refining and petrochemical industries. Improvements in this technology could have a major impact on energy consumption and chemical production costs. This project seeks to develop a novel membrane-structured-packing distillation technology. The technology will utilize a new countercurrent membrane contactor that could enhance the separation efficiency of distillation several fold. In Phase I, a bench-scale system will be built and operated with simple model mixtures. The data obtained will used to estimate the technical and economic feasibility of the process and to select the most suitable separations for focus in Phase II, in which the device will be developed to the demonstration stage. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Distillation is so widely used that any improvement in today's technology should have a very substantial economic impact.