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Novel Membranes for In-Process Recycling of Hydrocarbon Feedstocks in Oxygen-Oxidation Processes
EPA Contract Number: 68D98156Title: Novel Membranes for In-Process Recycling of Hydrocarbon Feedstocks in Oxygen-Oxidation Processes
Investigators: Wijmans, Hans
Small Business: Membrane Technology and Research Inc.
EPA Contact: Manager, SBIR Program
Phase: II
Project Period: September 1, 1998 through September 1, 2000
Project Amount: $225,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase II (1997)
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , SBIR - Pollution Prevention
Description:
Oxygen-oxidation processes are used to produce a number of important chemicals including ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, terephthalic acid, and vinyl chloride. Approximately 450 million lb/yr of the hydrocarbon feedstocks used in these processes are lost as part of an inert gas purge stream from the reactor. Currently, this gas is flared, leading to a loss of valuable chemicals and an increased environmental burden. In the Phase I project, a novel poly (propylene oxide-allylglycidyl ether) membrane was developed with an excellent ethylene/argon selectivity. An economic analysis showed that feedstock hydrocarbons can be recovered with payback times between 12 and 24 months. In the Phase II project, Membrane Technology and Research, Inc. (MTR) will optimize the novel membrane and prepare spiral-wound modules. Bench-scale modules will be tested at MTR in a closed-loop system with synthetic gas mixtures and commercial-scale modules will be tested in the field with a real argon purge stream. Supplemental Keywords:small business, SBIR, pollution prevention, engineering, chemistry, EPA. , Toxics, Air, Sustainable Industry/Business, Scientific Discipline, RFA, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Sustainable Environment, EPCRA, Chemical Engineering, Civil/Environmental Engineering, HAPS, air toxics, Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, cleaner production/pollution prevention, Environmental Chemistry, Chemistry and Materials Science, Civil Engineering, Engineering, Vinyl chloride, membrane technology, clean technology, recovered hydrocarbon, ambient air quality, cleaner production, hydrocarbons, in-process changes, Propylene oxide, membrane technology , emission control strategies, industrial air pollution, hydrocarbon, in-process recycling, environmentally conscious manufacturing, novel membrames, membrane process, air pollutants, recycling, feedstocks, feedstock, emission controls, Ethylene oxide, pollution prevention
SBIR Phase I:
Novel Membranes for In-Process Recycling of Hydrocarbon Feedstocks in Oxygen-Oxidation Processes