New membrane could cut emissions and energy use in oil refining

Imperial has co-developed the first synthetic membrane to separate crude oil and crude oil fractions, which could help reduce carbon emissions. Crude oil is refined to create fuels like diesel, petrol and jet fuel, as well as lubricants and plastics. However, the processes used to create these byproducts are a major source of pollutants to the air, water, and soil. It is also a large-scale, energy-intensive process that accounts for nearly one per cent of the world's energy use. Now, a new membrane developed by researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology , Imperial College London, and ExxonMobil could help reduce carbon emissions and energy use associated with refining crude oil. By substituting the low-energy membranes for certain steps in the refining process, the new technology might one day contribute to a hybrid refining system that could help reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption significantly compared to traditional refining processes. The researchers say that, although additional research and development will be needed to advance this to an industrial scale, the new membrane could replace some conventional heat-based refining processes in the future.