Chinese researchers unveil membrane method cutting oil refining energy use up to 91%
Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics scientists report a molecular-sieve membrane technique that could replace energy-intensive distillation in oil refining.
What to know
- The technique uses metal-organic framework membranes, chemically etched with tannic acid, to separate crude oil molecules by size and surface properties instead of using heat-based distillation.
- Laboratory tests reported energy savings of roughly 90-91% and recovery rates of 85-90% on a 15-component light oil fraction mixture.
- The research has so far only been demonstrated in the laboratory; industrial scale-up, cost, and durability of the membranes remain unaddressed in current reporting.
Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics Research institutionNational Science Review Academic journal
How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts
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Technical details of 'molecular refining' method circulate
A summary post explains the membranes are based on metal-organic frameworks, chemically etched with tannic acid, and separate oil molecules in two cascade stages by size and surface properties, achieving 85-90% recovery rates on a 15-component test mixture.
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It says here (South China Morning Post) >> Chinese scientists develop new oil refining method that may cut energy use by 90% https://www. scmp.com/news/china/science/ar ticle/3367332/chinese-scientists-develop-new-oil-refining-method-may-cut-energy-use-90 # china # energy # fossilfuels
2 more of the top 3 · 16 posts in this stretch
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It doesn't side step it instead the tech is centered around molecular refining as a substitute to fractional distillation. Essentially membranes are used to separate smaller molecules longer ones. This comes with the benefit of massively reducing energy requirements for refining but it comes with the major downsides of having to deal with…
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Interesting... 🤔 Chinese Scientists Develop New Oil Refining Method That Cuts Energy Use by 90% https://www. goodnewsnetwork.org/chinese-sc ientists-develop-new-oil-refining-method-that-cuts-energy-use-by-90/
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SCMP reports refining method may cut energy use by 90%
South China Morning Post publishes an account of the study, describing a molecular-level separation process that could reduce refining energy consumption by roughly 90 percent compared with distillation.
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2 outlets first by SCMP, 11d ago · also SCMP China · read ↗
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background
Dalian Institute publishes molecular refining study — Researchers at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics publish results of a laboratory test of a new membrane-based oil separation technique in the journal National Science Review.
What people are saying 13 voices from 2 sites · best of 16 · verbatim
- Sep 14
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You don’t understand what they are saying. Less energy consumed to make oil derived products means higher profits.
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well, we will see. As far as i have understood the article, they haven't tested the technology with crude at all, just with a artificial mix of different, more lighter, hydrocarbons.
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The crude unit is the most energy intensive unit at a refinery for separating molecules. If it cant be used here except in select applications (pre processing), then the claim of reducing 90% energy use is widely misleading.
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well, i#m nearly sure they will think about that. And probaly use that membrane not for the heavy stuff in the crude anyway. The most obvious problems are seldom the ones that are complety overseen.
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Correct, membrane technology is not a new idea for refining. Its been researched extensively and found not to pay out. Mainly due to the plugging issues associated with these fluids
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They claim that they have a membrane technology that can process crude to its fractions. Membrane technology is not new, its been tried for decades now and in this industry. The crude is not clean enough at scale to continuously use this process. The membrane pores plug up then stop flowing.
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Membrane technology has been known for processing for decades now. This is not new nor revolutionary. The problem with membranes are that they can only be used in relatively clean service (i.e. water). Crude Oils have too much sludge, solids, impurities to use on membranes. At scale, these membranes will plug up very quickly.
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Big deal! Here in capitalism land we’re shielding pedophiles, bombing poor people for other countries, and running AI stock market scams. WE ARE NOT THE SAME
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China has been fucking crushing it lately! I miss when I used to read headlines like that about the USA.
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Good luck w/ that. Also the headline sounds like so many scientific discoveries where it's possible but totally not scalable.
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TLDR: No, they didn't, but they gassed on at length as if they had. Nothing to see here.
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I'm skeptical as well but would like a chance to scoff at the claims first hand..
- Sep 13
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China tests oil refining method that could cut energy use by 91% https://www. byteseu.com/2362161/ # Energy