SBIR Phase II: Multilayer Membrane-Based Permeation for Cost-Effective Olefin/Paraffin Separation

This SBIR Phase II project focuses on olefin/paraffin separation. Ethylene and propylene are produced in larger quantities than any other organic chemicals. A new membrane system is under development, which provides high olefin recovery, extremely high olefin fluxes, drastically improved olefin/paraffin selectivities over conventional facilitated transport membranes, and long-term operation stability. During Phase II, a laboratory prototype will be demonstrated. Integration of this membrane system into an olefin plant will drastically improve ethylene, propylene and butadiene in a more energy efficient and economical way. Polymer-grade olefins can be easily produced with this membrane process with minor post-treatments. Economic analysis showed that incorporation of the proposed membrane system into an ethylene plant can drastically reduce capital and operating costs of the entire plant. As a result of reduced power consumption, this membrane process will correspondingly reduce emission of greenhouse gas CO2.