PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF ORGANIC SOLVENTS

摘要

A method is provided for separating water from an organic solvent which comprises: passing the solvent through at least one conduit within a porous ceramic witha zeolite membrane formed on the internal surface oftheconduit; recovering solvent of reduced water content from the conduit; and recovering water which has passed via the membrane through the ceramic to the exterior thereof. The velocity at which the solvent is passed through the conduitinduces turbulent flow for scouring solids from the surface of the membrane and reducing or preventing concentration of the organic solventon the membrane surfacee.g. at 1-6 m/s The invention also provides a method of separating water from an organic solvent which comprises: supplying the solvent to first, second and third tanks; circulating solvent between the first tank and zeolite membranes to separate water therefrom; recovering separated water from the membranes; supplying fresh solvent to the second tank; recovering solvent separated of water from the third tank in heat-exchange relationship with solvent supplied to the second tank; andon completion of water separation initiating at least a first new processing cycle in which recovery is from the first tank, circulation is from the second tank and supply is to the third tank. On completion of said first new processing cycle at leasta second cycle may be initiated in which supply is to the first tank, recovery is from the second tank and circulation is from the third tank. Apparatus is also provided for separating first and second fluids, comprising:a multiplicity of tubular porous ceramic monoliths having tubular conduits formed within the monolith with a zeolite membrane formed on the internal surface ofeach of theconduits;first and second support plates each formed with a multiplicity of holes for receiving the ends of the monoliths for supporting said monoliths in spaced parallel relationship, the holes where theyopen to outer faces of the support plates being formed with counterbores;O-rings in the counterbores for supporting the monoliths in the apertures each at a small clearance from its respective hole; first and second cover plates attached to the first and second support plates and formed with holes corresponding to the holes in the support plate leading to enlarged inwardly facing regions in which ends of the monoliths are received, attachment of the cover plate compressing the O-rings to seal against the monolith; anda housing having a flow passage in which the first and second support Phoenix,002-PCT26 plates are welded;wherein the support plates have outer surfaces machined flat after the support plates have been welded in position.