Separation of olefin/parafrin mixtures using zwitterionic silver complexes as transport carriers

Abstract

Zwitterionic silver nitrate salts of 1-(1-methyl-3-imidazolio)propane-3-sulfonate, 1-(1-methyl-1-pyrrolidinio) propane-3-sulfonate, and 1-(4-methyl-4-morpholio)propane-3-sulfo nate have been prepared and tested as carriers for facilitated olefin transport membranes in the separation of ethylene/ethane, propylene/propane, and C-4 mixtures. The interactions of olefins with silver ions bound to sulfonate groups were investigated by FTIR spectroscopy as well as the correlation between the binding affinity of olefins and facilitated transport.