This research concerns use of liquid clathrates as mass separating agents for hydrocarbon mixtures. Preliminary work shows high selectivity in aromatic/aliphatic and single- ring/multi-ring systems. Parameters necessary for selection of a liquid clathrate system for continuous separation process will be determined by experiment. Energy efficient sorption/desorption cycles will be investigated as the basis for a continuous, multi stage process. Separation processes are an important component of U.S. industry. Many processes are complex and/or energy intensive. Recent studies of opportunities in separations science have identified development of a new generation of highly selective, regenerable mass separating agents as a needed technology. This project is possibly a partial solution of this problem.
