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Dewatering Membrane for Hazy Hydrodesulfurization of Unit Effluents--Compact Membrane Systems, Inc.,
Dr. Stuart Nemser,
PhD, Principal Investigator, snemser@compactembrane.com
Dr. Stuart Nemser
PhD, Business Official, snemser@compactembrane.com
DOE Grant No. DE‑FG02‑07ER84838
Amount:
$750,000
Many
refinery product streams, particularly those from Ultra Low Hydrodesulfurisation
units, are prone to haze due to water emulsions. Haze is also problematic for biodiesel
production, as hazy fuel cannot be used until the haze settles or is removed,
which creates costly scheduling and shipping delays. This project will develop a novel membrane
process for the
removal of dissolved and dispersed water from fuels in real
time. In Phase I, the membrane was
developed and feasibility was demonstrated on multiple fuels. An economic evaluation showed that the cost
of dewatering with the membranes would be very attractive. Phase II will involve the fabrication of both
a small scale (e.g., 1-5 ft2) laboratory prototype and a large
commercial size unit (e.g., 50 ft2).
Based on the Phase I study, the long term performance of the membrane
modules (both the laboratory and field unit) will be enhanced, and performance
over a four-year lifetime will be demonstrated.
Dewatering tests will be conducted both at the laboratory and in
conjunction with industry partners at an existing field site. With the data collected, detailed engineering
and economic evaluations will be conducted, and a comparison will be made with
alternative non-membrane dehydrating processes.
Commercial Applications and Other
Benefits as described by the awardee: The membrane technology should have a
large impact on a number of areas of interest to the Department of Energy. In addition to haze removal 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.