Polymer membranes have the potential to reshape how refineries process crude oil

Abstract

Research done in the USA has led to the development of polymer membranes that have the potential to reshape how refineries process crude oil. Capable of improving distillation processes, their use could dramatically reduce the energy and water required, whilst extracting even more useful materials. The scientists conducting the research have also created artificial intelligence tools to predict the performance of these kinds of membranes, which could help accelerate the development of new ones.