Process for separating linear and branched hydrocarbons using alkylene-bridged polysilsesquioxanes

摘要

An adsorptive process to separate the components of a solution of linear and branched hydrocarbons into a linear hydrocarbon portion and a branched hydrocarbon portion where the adsorbent is an alkylene-bridged polysilsesquioxane has been developed. The hydrocarbon components to be separated may be alkanes, alkenes, or alkynes, and the alkylene-bridging group of the adsorbent may contain from about 2 to about 14 carbon atoms. A specific embodiment of the invention is one where the process is operated in the simulated moving bed mode.