Treatment of nitrogen-rich natural gas streams
US10215488B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 11, 2016 |
| Grant date | Feb 26, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 9, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25J2290/34
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Helium can be recovered from nitrogen-rich natural gas at high pressure with low helium loss by cryogenic distillation of the natural gas after pre-treatment of the gas to remove incompatible impurities and then recovery of natural gas liquid (NGL) from the pre-treated gas by distillation. Overall power consumption may be reduced, particularly if the feed to the helium recovery column system is at least substantially condensed by indirect heat exchange against a first portion of nitrogen-enriched bottoms liquid at first pressure, and a second portion of nitrogen-enriched bottoms liquid at a second pressure that is different from the first pressure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.