Olefin/paraffin separation using membrane based facilitated transport/chemical absorption techniques

Seeking alternative olefin/paraffin separation techniques have been attracting great interest due to the high operating and capital costs of current commercially practiced separation processes. An olefin/paraffin separation scheme using membrane based facilitated transport/chemical absorption techniques offers great advantages such as reducing the operating and capital costs, as well as eliminating the operating drawbacks occurring in absorption processes such as flooding, foam formation, etc. Consequently, the utilization of a facilitated transport/chemical absorption scheme with a suitable membrane system for olefin/paraffin separation would be an attractive option for the replacement of the current separation technologies. A comprehensive review is presented for application of membranes for light olefin/paraffin separation. This article covers all types of membrane based facilitated transport/chemical absorption techniques which include various conventional liquid membranes configurations, membrane contactors and more advanced solid membrane electrolytes. The performance evaluation, shortcomings, and advantages are discussed in details. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.