(25b) Commercial Demonstration and Operation of Energy Efficient Olefin-Paraffin Separations with Novel OptipermTM Membrane System

The separation of light olefins from paraffins is one of the most energy intensive in the world, consuming as much energy as Singapore¹. The state of the art separation method is distillation, a technology that has remained unchanged over decades. Membranes hold the promise of a more modular, energy efficient and capital efficient method for separation. However, they have historically been hampered by low performance and stability. CMS has developed a transformational membrane technology that is being demonstrated at commercial scale with Braskem.

The first Optipermâ„¢ membrane utilizes a silver embedded polymeric material to selectively transport olefins. This material has demonstrated over 3 years of longevity in laboratory operation and has shown high selectivity and permeance under realistic operating conditions.

In continuing the commercialization of Optipermâ„¢ membranes, CMS’ has partnered with Braskem to jointly develop and fabricate a multistage pilot unit to test commercial scale spiral wound membranes in in a mixed C₃ process stream. This talk will discuss results from the pilot unit that was deployed in a Braskem Polymer facility in January 2022 and was brought on stream in May 2022. This is the first commercial scale operation of Optipermâ„¢ membrane modules under field conditions using actual process streams. We will describe the pilot unit design which incorporates all the process equipment of a commercial scale unit including an advanced process control system that enables the unit to simultaneously produce two high quality product streams. Learning from our field testing with Braskem will be shared with effects of the process operating conditions and membrane operating window. Representative plant economics based on field test results will be presented. Based on preliminary calculations, implementation of the technology can affect a 30% decrease in energy use and 70% reduction in GHG as compared to processing the same molecules through the column.

In conjunction with the field unit, CMS developed an internal rig for validation, model validation and testing the extension of the operating window. This talk will discuss the use of the “laboratory twin” for model development. Updates will also be presented on the scale up of our flat sheet spiral wound commercial membrane cartridges, process control systems, and the progress on our joint development project with Braskem.

1. Sholl, D., Lively, R. Seven chemical separations to change the world. Nature532, 435–437 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/532435a