Home >> Research Overview >> Research by Faculty Member >> John L. Falconer >> Zeolite Membranes Research >> Hydrocarbon Isomer Separation
John L. Falconer
Hydrocarbon Isomer Separation

A significant advantage of zeolite membranes is their ability to separate mixtures of organic isomers. We have used various zeolite membranes to separate C₄ to C₉ hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon isomer mixtures. For some structural isomer mixtures such as n-hexane and 2,2-dimethylbutane, separation selectivities greater than 2000 have been obtained in MFI zeolite membranes. We have also used these membranes for alkanes and alkenes. The beta and MFI membranes separate stereo isomer mixtures (cis and trans). 

Sample Publications

Bowen, T.C., H. Kalipcilar, J.L. Falconer, and R.D. Noble, “Separation of C4 and

     C6 isomer mixtures and alcohol-water solutions by monolith supported B-

     ZSM-5 membranes”, Desalination 147, 331-332 (2002).

Arruebo, M., J.L. Falconer, R. D. Noble, “Separation of binary C5 and C6

     hydrocarbon mixtures through MFI zeolite membranes”, J. Membrane

     Science 269, 171-176 (2006).

Tuan, V. A., L. L. Weber, J. L. Falconer, and R. D. Noble, "Synthesis of B-

     Substituted Beta Zeolite Membranes", Ind. Eng. Chem. Research 42,

     3019-3021 (2003)

Flanders, C.L., Tuan, V.A., Noble, R.D., and Falconer, J.L., "Separation of C6 isomers by vapor permeation and pervaporation through ZSM-5 membranes", J. Membrane Science 176, 43-53 (2000)

Gump, C.J., Tuan, V.A., Noble, R.D., an d Falconer, J.L., "Aromatic Permeation through Crystalline Molecular Sieve Membranes", Ind. Eng. Chem. Research 40, 565-577 (2001)

Gade, S.K., V.A. Tuan, C.J. Gump, R.D. Noble, J.L. Falconer, "Highly Selective Separations of n-hexane from Branched, Cyclic, and Aromatic Isomer using B-ZSM-5 Membranes", Chem. Comm., p. 601-602 (2001).

Coronas, J., Noble, R.D. and Falconer, J. L., "Separations of C₄ and C₆ Isomers in ZSM-5 Tubular Membranes", Ind. Eng. Chem. Research 37, 166-176 (1998).

Coronas, J., Falconer, J. L., and Noble, R.D., "Preparation and Permeation Properties of ZSM-5 Composite Membranes", AIChE Journal 43, 1797-1812 (1997).