Process for separating higher hydrocarbons from natural or produced gas streams
US4857078A · kind A · utility
74Cited by
15References
8Claims
0Family size
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Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 31, 1987 |
| Grant date | Aug 15, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 31, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01D71/24
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process for separating ethane and other higher hydrocarbons from a natural or produced gas stream, having methane as its major constituent. A rubbery permselective membrane, having a propane/methane selectivity of 8 or above, is contacted on its feed side with a gas mixture typically containing methane, ethane, propane, butane, and small amounts of other hydrocarbons, water vapor, hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide, water vapor, ethane and the other higher hydrocarbons permeate preferentially through the membrane, and the retentate stream is correspondingly enriched in methane.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.