Membrane process for natural gas liquids recovery and hydrocarbon dew point control
US11866667B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 22, 2021 |
| Grant date | Jan 9, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 16, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02C20/40
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An energy efficient process for NGL recovery and production of compressed natural gas (CNG) in which natural gas is fed to a first gas separation membrane-based separation stage where it is separated into a permeate and a retentate. The high C3+ concentration first stage permeate is chilled and separated to provide liquid phase NGL and a gaseous phase. The first stage retentate is separated at a second gas membrane-based separation stage to produce a retentate meeting pipeline specifications for CNG (including hydrocarbon dewpoint) and a permeate that is recycled to the first stage. The gaseous phase, constituting a low BTU fuel, may be used in on-site power generation equipment and/or in internal combustion engines. The second stage permeate (and optionally the third stage retentate) is (are) recycled back to the first stage to enhance the production of NGL and CNG. The gaseous phase may instead be fed to a third stage to produce a third permeate and a third residue, in which case the third permeate is recycled to the first stage and the third retentate is a low BTU fuel which may be used in on-site power generation equipment and/or in internal combustion engines.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.