Ultrafiltration Membranes with Structure-Optimized Graphene-Oxide Coatings for Antifouling Oil/Water Separation

CATEGORY: ULTRAFILTRATION MEMBRANES
Ultrafiltration Membranes with Structure-Optimized Graphene-Oxide Coatings for Antifouling Oil/Water Separation

Type	Journal Article
Author	Yi Huang
Author	Hang Li
URL	http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/admi.201400433/abstract
Volume	2
Issue	2
Pages	n/a-n/a
Publication	Advanced Materials Interfaces
Date	January 1, 2015
Abstract	Fouling of ultrafiltration (UF) membranes in oil/water separation is a major economic barrier to their use in a broad range of applications. Current membranes exhibit severe fouling, resulting from the strong oil adhesion on the membrane surface and/or oil penetration inside the membranes. This significantly degrades their performance and shortens service lifetime. Researchers used graphene oxide (GO) as a novel coating material for the fabrication of fully recoverable, UF membranes with desired hierarchical surface roughness via a facile vacuum filtration method for antifouling oil/water separation. The combination of ultrathin, water-locking GO coatings with the optimized hierarchical surface roughness, provided by the inherent roughness of the porous supports and the corrugation of the GO coatings, minimizes underwater oil adhesion on the membrane surface. The novel GO functional coatings with optimized hierarchical structures may have broad applications in oil-polluted environments.

Imidazolium-based room-temperature ionic liquids, polymers, monomers, and membranes incorporating same (The Regents Of The University Of Colorado)

CATEGORY: RTIL - ROOM TEMPERATURE IONIC LIQUIDS
Imidazolium-based room-temperature ionic liquids, polymers, monomers, and membranes incorporating same (The Regents Of The University Of Colorado)

Type	Patent
Inventor	Jason E. Bara
Inventor	Trevor K. Carlisle
URL	Free Full Text Source:  http://www.google.com/patents/US8926732
Assignee	The Regents Of The University Of Colorado, A Body Corporate
Patent Number	US8926732 B2
Issue Date	Jan 6, 2015
Abstract	The present invention provides gels, solutions, films, membranes, compositions, and other materials containing polymerized and/or non-polymerized room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs). These materials are useful in catalysis, gas separation and as antistatic agents. The RTILs are preferably imidazolium-based RTILs which are optionally substituted, such as with one or more hydroxyl groups. Optionally, the materials of the present invention are composite materials comprising both polymerized and non-polymerized RTILs. The RTIL polymer is formed from polymerized RTIL cations typically synthesized as monomers and polymerized in the presence of the non-polymerized RTIL cations to provide a solid composite material. The non-polymerized RTIL cations are not covalently bound to the cationic polymer but remain as free cations within the composite material able to associate with charged subunits of the polymer. These composite materials are useful in catalysis, gas separation, and antistatic applications.

Process for Producing Phenol (ExxonMobil)

CATEGORY: PHENOL
Process for Producing Phenol (ExxonMobil)

Type	Patent
Inventor	Christopher L. Becker
Inventor	James R. Lattner
URL	Free Full Text Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20150038747
Assignee	Exxonmobil Chemical Patents, Inc.
Patent Number	US20150038747 A1
Issue Date	Feb 5, 2015
Abstract	In a process for producing phenol, cyclohexylbenzene is oxidized to form a first reaction product comprising cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide and at least a portion of the cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide is then cleaved to form a second reaction product comprising phenol and cyclohexanone. At least one of the first and second reaction products comprises cyclohexenone, which is hydrogenated to produce further cyclohexanone.
Country	United States

Superhydrophobic Cuprous Oxide Nanostructures on Phosphor-Copper Meshes and Their Oil–Water Separation and Oil Spill Cleanup

CATEGORY: OIL/WATER SEPARATION
Superhydrophobic Cuprous Oxide Nanostructures on Phosphor-Copper Meshes and Their Oil–Water Separation and Oil Spill Cleanup

Type	Journal Article
Author	Ling-Hao Kong
Author	Xin-Hua Chen
URL	http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/am507620s
Volume	7
Issue	4
Pages	2616-2625
Publication	ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
Date	February 4, 2015
Abstract	Researchers designed a simple aqueous solution-immersion process to fabricate highly dense ordered Cu2O nanorods on commercial phosphor-copper mesh, with which the preparation was accomplished in distilled water. The method, with the advantages of simple operation, low cost, short reaction time, and environmental friendliness, can be used to fabricate desired Cu2O nanostructures on the phosphor-copper mesh under mild conditions. After surface modification with 1-dodecanethiol, the Cu2O nanostructure obtained on the phosphor-copper mesh exhibits excellent superhydrophobicity and superoleophilicity. Besides, a mini boat made from the as-prepared superhydrophobic phosphor-copper mesh can float freely on water surface and in situ collect oil from water surface. This shows that the facile, inexpensive and environmentally friendly approach could be used for oil/water separation and off shore oil spill cleanup.

Oil/Water Separation with Selective Superantiwetting/Superwetting Surface Materials

CATEGORY: OIL/WATER SEPARATION
Oil/Water Separation with Selective Superantiwetting/Superwetting Surface Materials

Type	Journal Article
Author	Zonglin Chu
Author	Yujun Feng
URL	http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/anie.201405785/abstract
Volume	54
Issue	8
Pages	2328-2338
Publication	Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Date	February 16, 2015
Abstract	Separation of oil from oily water by the use of materials with selective oil/water absorption is a recent and very promising area of development. Because of their selective superantiwetting/ superwetting properties towards water and oil, superhydrophobic/ superoleophilic surfaces and underwater superoleophobic surfaces have been developed for the separation of oil/water-free mixtures and emulsions. Authors explain the principles of materials with selective oil/water absorption, and outline recent advances in oil/water separation with superwetting/ superantiwetting materials, including their design, their fabrication, and models of experimental setups. They discuss the current state of the new field and point out the remaining problems and future challenges.

Effective and reusable oil/water separation membranes based on modified polysulfone electrospun nanofiber mats

CATEGORY: OIL/WATER SEPARATION
Effective and reusable oil/water separation membranes based on modified polysulfone electrospun nanofiber mats

Type	Journal Article
Author	Abdulhakim A. Almajid
Author	Khalil Abdelrazek Khalil
Author	El-Minia, Egypt Chemical Engineering Department, El-Minia University
Author	Saudi Arabia Mechanical Engineering Department, King Saud University
URL	http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1385894714009905
Volume	259
Pages	449-456
Publication	Chemical Engineering Journal
Date	January 1, 2015
Abstract	Membrane technology is a promising process for oil/water separation operation if the hydrophilicity, fouling and reusability properties can be improved. Authors describe an innovative effective and reusable membrane for oil–water separation process based on modification of polysulfone (PSF) electrospun nanofiber mats. Overall, simplicity of the manufacturing technique, and effectiveness and reusability of the produced nanofiber mats open new avenue for the introduced electrospun mats as promising membranes for the oil–water separation process.

A novel carbon nanotubes reinforced superhydrophobic and superoleophilic polyurethane sponge for selective oil–water separation through a chemical fabrication

CATEGORY: OIL/WATER SEPARATION
A novel carbon nanotubes reinforced superhydrophobic and superoleophilic polyurethane sponge for selective oil–water separation through a chemical fabrication

Type	Journal Article
Author	Huaiyuan Wang
Author	Enqun Wang
URL	http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2015/ta/c4ta03945a
Volume	3
Issue	1
Pages	266-273
Publication	Journal of Materials Chemistry A
Date	2014-12-03
Abstract	Because oil spills and industrial oily wastewater have caused severe environmental concerns, there is need for a super absorbent material capable of separating oil–water mixtures, especially with a high absorption capacity and mechanical strength. Authors describe a common and feasible approach to fabricate carbon nanotubes (CNTs) reinforced polyurethane (PU) sponge which exhibits superhydrophobic and superoleophilic properties. The method involves the oxidative self-polymerization of dopamine and the reaction of hydrophilic polydopamine (PDA) with hydrophobic octadecylamine (ODA). Researchers studied the superhydrophobic stability of the sponge with temperatures and in corrosive solutions of different pH. The sponge could quickly and selectively absorb a variety of oils up to 34.9 times of its own weight. The absorbed oils can be collected by a simple squeezing process. Interestingly, the mechanical strength of the as-prepared sponge is improved due to the structural reinforcement of CNTs anchored on the sponge skeleton. The recovered sponge could be reused to separate oil–water mixture 150 times while maintaining its high absorption capacity. This promising multifunctional sponge exhibits significant potential as an efficient absorbent in large-scale oil–water separation applications.

Separation of hydrogen sulfide from natural gas (ExxonMobil)

CATEGORY: NATURAL GAS
Separation of hydrogen sulfide from natural gas (ExxonMobil)

Type	Patent
Inventor	Pavel Kortunov
Inventor	Michael Siskin
URL	Free Full Text Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20150027055
Assignee	Exxonmobil Research And Engineering Company
Patent Number	US20150027055 A1
Issue Date	Jan 29, 2015
Abstract	A process for increasing the selectivity of an alkanolamine absorption process for selectively removing hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from a gas mixture which also contains carbon dioxide (CO2) and possibly other acidic gases such as COS, HCN, CS2 and sulfur derivatives of C1 to C4 hydrocarbons, comprises contacting the gas mixture with a liquid absorbent which is a severely sterically hindered capped alkanolamine or more basic sterically hindered secondary and tertiary amine. The improvement in selectivity is achieved at the high(er) pressures, typically least about 10 bara at conditions nearing the H2S/CO2 equilibrium at which CO2 begins to displace absorbed hydrosulfide species from the absorbent solution.

Hydrotreating Process and Apparatus (UOP)

CATEGORY: NAPHTHA
Hydrotreating Process and Apparatus (UOP)

Type	Patent
Inventor	Deepak Bisht
Inventor	Soumendra Banerjee
URL	Free Full Text Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20150014218
Assignee	Uop Llc
Patent Number	US20150014218 A1
Issue Date	Jan 15, 2015
Abstract	A process for hydrotreating full range naphtha is disclosed including the steps of passing a vapor stream composed of naphtha hydrocarbons to a first catalyst bed of a hydrotreating reactor, passing a liquid stream composed of naphtha hydrocarbons to a second catalyst bed of the hydrotreating reactor, and recovering a hydrotreated product stream from the hydrotreating reactor. The first and second catalyst beds are arranged in series within the hydrotreating reactor, and the second catalyst bed is downstream of the first catalyst bed.

Processes for producing multi-carbon alcohols (Celanese)

CATEGORY: MULTI-CARBON ALCOHOLS
Processes for producing multi-carbon alcohols (Celanese)

Type	Patent
Inventor	Claudio Ribeiro
Inventor	Andrew Shuff
URL	Free Full Text Source:  http://www.google.com/patents/US9018426
Assignee	Celanese International Corporation
Patent Number	US9018426 B1
Issue Date	Apr 28, 2015
Abstract	In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing multi-carbon alcohols, including butanol and/or hexanol. The process comprises the step of reacting ethanol in a reactor to form a crude product comprising butanol, ethanol, and water. The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the crude product in a first distillation zone to form a first distillate comprising ethanol and a first residue comprising butanol, and water. The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the first residue in a second distillation zone to form a second distillate and a second residue comprising butanol.

Methanol Magic, LLC Methanol Plant Feasibility Study

CATEGORY: METHANOL
Methanol Magic, LLC Methanol Plant Feasibility Study

Type	Thesis
Author	Marco Barrera
Author	Adrian Barry
URL	Free Full Text Source:  http://utwired.engr.utexas.edu/eldridge/ChE473k/drop_folder/Methanol%20Magic%20Senior%20Design%20Report.pdf
Date	2015
University	University of Texas at Austin
Abstract	Methanol Magic, LLC explored the feasibility of a shale gas methanol plant – producing Grade AA methanol – built near the Bakken shale play and drawing from four gas wells, each with different hydrocarbon compositions. The projected life of the plant was 10 years, lasting from January 1, 2017, with a 2-year construction and 330 day/year operating time. The tax rate is 40% with a MACRS depreciation of 7 years. The process – from purchasing the shale gas to methanol production – can be separated into three units: natural gas processing, synthesis gas (syngas), and methanol production. Process modeling and economics analysis were done in ASPEN and Excel. In the current market climate, the proposed methanol process has 0% chance of making a profit, with a Net Present Value (NPV) of -$223 MM ± $40 MM and an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 15.0% ± 1.8%. There is a 90% probability of having 12.05-18.02% IRR and methanol price is the determining factor of the final NPV. To meet the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 25%, a break-even analysis indicated needing a methanol output increase of 29% (165,811,670 gal/yr to 213,251,194 gal/yr), a wellhead price decrease of 57% ($3.03/ 1000 SCF to $1.30/ 1000 SCF), or a methanol sale price (year 2017) increase of 25% ($1.79/gal to $2.40/gal). Process downsizing via Fixed Capital Investment (FCI) alone cannot break even at 25% IRR, even without considering the loss in methanol production. Thus, Methanol Magic, LLC recommends against the construction of the proposed methanol plant, although the economics might be sustainable with a lower IRR hurdle.
# of Pages	99