Fuel fractionation using membrane distillation

摘要

A method for fractionating a fuel includes heating the fuel and flowing it through hollow superhydrophobic membranes (62) in a membrane module (12). Vapor from the fuel permeates the hydrophobic membranes (62) and enters a distillate collection chamber (70), producing distilled fuel and residual fuel. The residual fuel is removed from the module (12) and cooled. The cooled residual fuel is flowed through hollow tubes (64) in the module (12) and the distilled fuel is removed from the distillate collection chamber (70). Burning the distilled fuel reduces engine emissions. A fuel fractionation system (10) includes a distillate collection chamber (70), hollow superhydrophobic membranes (62), hollow tubes (64) and a distillate outlet (78). The hollow superhydrophobic membranes (62) receive heated fuel and allow vapor from the heated fuel to permeate the membranes (62) and enter the distillate collection chamber (70). The hollow tubes (64) receive cooled residual fuel and are positioned to allow vapor in the distillate collection chamber (70) to condense on outer surfaces (65) of the hollow tubes (64).