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Ceramic Membrane Process for Upgrading Vacuum Residual Oil

Award Information
Agency: Department of Energy
Branch: N/A
Contract: DE-FG02-00ER82970
Agency Tracking Number: 60028-00-II
Amount: $600,000.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 2001
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
12 Clematis Avenue
Waltham, MA 02453
United States
DUNS: N/A
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Robert Goldsmith
 President
 (781) 899-4495
 goldsmith@ceramem.com
Business Contact
 Robert Goldsmith
Title: President
Phone: (781) 899-4495
Email: goldsmith@ceramem.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

60028 The world supply of light crudes and those having only minor concentrations of sulfur and contaminant metals is quickly decreasing, and the refining of heavier crudes produces ¿bottom of the barrel¿ residual oils. These oils are unsuitable for conventional processing techniques such as catalytic cracking and therefore require an alternative process for upgrading. This project will develop a residual oil purification process based on the use of unique, low-cost ceramic membranes to separate residual oils into two fractions: (1) a product stream in which asphaltenes and metals are reduced to the level where this stream can be processed by cat cracking, and (2) a reject stream that can be disposed of in the same manner as residual oil. Laboratory experiments in Phase I demonstrated that the ceramic membranes can achieve the required purification at economically attractive filtration rates. In Phase II, extensive laboratory scale experiments will be conducted to optimize the operating variables. A pilot plant will be built and operated on alternative residual oil feedstocks. Lastly, more extensive investment analyses will be performed to validate the Phase I economic studies. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The process should be applicable to the treatment of both atmospheric and vacuum residual oils. The process will also be useful for purification of waste lubricating oils, dewaxing petroleum products, removal of catalyst fines from hydrocarbon streams, and other filtration applications for heavy oils.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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