Ultra-thin membranes strip 99.8% of heavy hydrocarbons from crude oil

Ultra-thin membranes strip 99.8% of heavy hydrocarbons from crude oil

A new class of ultrathin polymer membranes, dubbed Polymers of Locked Intrinsic Microporosity (PLIMs), has been developed through a global research collaboration. These membranes can separate complex hydrocarbon mixtures (like crude oil), potentially transforming the energy-intensive refining process. Modifying membrane structure Every single day, standard crude oil refining uses the thermal distillation method. This process boils oil to separat…

Imperial spinout scales up heat-free crude oil separation

IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON spinout Exactmer has developed a pilot-scale membrane that can separate crude oil fractions without heat, a breakthrough that could significantly reduce the energy required for oil refining.