Metal-organic framework for the separation of alkane isomers

1. A method of separating alkane isomer mixtures, the method comprising:

(a) providing a source of alkane isomers;

(b) streaming the alkane isomers through a separator bed of Fe 2 (BDP) 3 to separate the alkane isomers according to the degree of branching;

(c) collecting di-branched isomers separated from the stream of alkane isomers; and

(d) collecting mono-branched and linear alkanes separated from the stream of alkane isomers.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising producing the source of alkane isomers with an isomerization reactor.

3. A method as recited in claim 2 , further comprising recycling the collected linear alkanes to the isomerization reactor for isomerization.

4. A method as recited in claim 3 , further comprising recycling the collected mono-branched alkanes to the isomerization reactor for isomerization.

5. A method as recited in claim 2 , further comprising controlling linear alkane concentration introduced to the isomerization reactor with collected linear alkanes.

6. A method as recited in claim 2 , further comprising controlling mono-branched alkane concentration introduced to the isomerization reactor with collected mono-branched alkanes.

7. A method as recited in claim 2 , further comprising introducing recycled mono-branched alkanes and recycled linear alkanes sequentially into the isomerization reactor.

8. A method as recited 1 , further comprising controlling the temperature and pressure of the alkane isomers streaming through the separator bed.

9. A method as recited in claim 8 , wherein the temperature and pressure of the alkane isomers streaming through the separator bed is the same temperature and pressure as produced by the isomerization reactor.

10. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said alkane isomers comprise hexane isomers and the collected branched isomers comprise 2,2-dimethylpentane (22DMP) and 2,3-dimethylpentane (23DMP).

11. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said alkane isomers comprise C5 and C6 isomers and the collected branched isomers comprise 2,2-dimethylpropane (neoP), 2,2-dimethylpentane (22DMP) and 2,3-dimethylpentane (23DMP).

12. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said alkane isomers comprise C5, C6 and C7 isomers and the collected branched isomers comprise 2,2-dimethylpentane (22DMP) and 2,3-dimethylpentane (23DMP); 2,4-dimethylpentane; 3,3-dimethylpentane; 3-ethylpentane; and 2,2,3-trimethylbutane.

13. A system for forming and separating branched alkane isomers, the system comprising:

(a) a feedstock of one or more alkanes;

(b) an isomerization reactor with an input feed coupled to said feedstock of alkanes and an output feed of reactor products; and

(c) a separator with a housing, a separator bed of Fe 2 (BDP) 3 , an intake duct coupled to the output feed of the isomerization reactor and at least one separation product outflow line coupled to the isomerization reactor and to a collector;

(d) wherein linear and mono-branched alkanes from the separation product line are returned to the isomerization reactor for further isomerization and multiple branched alkanes are collected.

14. A system as recited in claim 13 , further comprising:

a storage container fluidly connected to the separator product outflow line and the isomerization reactor input feed;

wherein linear alkanes are stored for controlled introduction into the isomerization reactor input feed.

15. A system as recited in claim 13 , further comprising:

a storage container fluidly connected to the separator product outflow line and the isomerization reactor;

wherein mono-branched alkanes are stored for controlled introduction into the isomerization reactor.

16. A system as recited claim 13 , further comprising:

a segregator valve fluidly coupled to the separation product outflow line, input feed, isomerization reactor and collector;

wherein products from the separator outflow line are segregated to the isomerization reactor input feed, the isomerization reactor or to the collector.

17. A system as recited in claim 16 , further comprising a system controller configured to control the segregator valve and flow of products to the isomerization reactor input feed, the isomerization reactor and to the collector.

18. A system as recited in claim 17 , wherein said system controller is configured to control the composition of the feedstock of the input feed and mono-branched alkanes in the isomerization reactor.

19. A porous metal organic framework comprising Fe 2 (bdp) 3 (BDP 2− =1,4-benzenedipyrazolate).