Ultrathin PLIM membranes remove 99.8% of C15+ heavy hydrocarbons from crude oil

An international research team has developed ultrathin polymer membranes known as Polymers of Locked Intrinsic Microporosity (PLIMs) that can remove 99.8% of heavy hydrocarbons (C15+) from Arabian Extra Light crude oil at room temperature. The membranes also cut corrosive sulfur compounds by 93% by stabilizing pore structure through an in situ crosslinking process. The system ran continuously for 30 days and is designed to fit existing spiral-wound industrial modules. The technology has not been commercialized, but it could reduce refinery energy use and equipment wear, improving processing economics.