Patent ID: 6517725
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: B01D,C10G,C10M

Abstract:
A process for the dehydration of oils, comprising the following steps:a) contacting one side of a defect-free, dense, nonporous membrane with a liquid stream containing free, emulsified or dissolved water and oil, wherein the membrane divides the separation chamber into a feed side, into which the liquid stream is fed, and a permeate side, from which the water is withdrawn; wherein; 1) the defect-free, dense, nonporous membrane is a composite part of a hollow fiber wherein a defect-free, dense, nonporous discriminating layer is supported on a porous support; and 2) the discriminating layer and porous support are polymeric in nature; b) maintaining a partial pressure differential for water such that the water selectively permeates by â€œsolution diffusionâ€  through the discriminating polymer layer from the feed side to the permeate side as a vapor; c) removing the water vapor that has permeated from the permeate side with a sweep gas stream or vacuum; d) preventing permeation of oil to the permeate side in the liquid phase; and e) removing the dehydrated oil from the feed side of the membrane.