Patent ID: 8454832
Filing Date: 2013-06-04
Classification: B01D,C10G

Abstract:
1. A process for treating a hydrocarbon feed stream containing at least one aromatic compound to separate some or all of said at least one aromatic compound from the hydrocarbon feed stream, the process comprising: providing a supported ionic liquid membrane including a microporous polymeric support structure formed of a polymer material and at least one ionic liquid contained in the micropores of said support structure, the supported ionic liquid membrane having a first side and a second side; passing the hydrocarbon feed stream containing at least one aromatic compound into contact with the first side of the supported ionic liquid membrane; and recovering a permeate stream containing the at least one aromatic compound from the second side of the supported ionic liquid membrane; wherein a retentate portion remains on the first side of the supported ionic liquid membrane, the retentate portion comprising hydrocarbons having a reduced aromatic compound content as compared to the hydrocarbons feed stream.