Chinese scientists develop new oil refining method that may cut energy use by 90%

Chinese scientists have developed a new method for refining oil that could potentially reduce energy consumption by up to 90%. This innovative technique, termed "molecular refining," utilizes a chemical membrane to separate crude oil molecules at the molecular level, unlike traditional distillation methods that rely on boiling points and energy-intensive heating and cooling cycles.

By employing metal organic framework membranes with precise pore sizes and surface properties, the process can effectively segregate various compounds, such as ethylene, aromatics for plastics and resins, and petrol components, thereby maximizing resource utilization. The researchers from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics described their method as "cascade membrane separation," where two distinct membranes are used sequentially to achieve high-value product separation with a recovery rate of between 85-90%.

In laboratory tests, the new process separated a simulated light naphtha mixture containing 15 components into three high-value product groups. Crucially, the new refining method consumed significantly less energy—around 91% less compared to traditional distillation. The study, published in National Science Review, highlights the potential of this technique to reduce production costs, emissions, and enhance product value, marking a significant advancement in sustainable petrochemical refining.