Multi-stage process for the separation/recovery of gases

US6221131A · kind A · utility

Assignees

• PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A.—PETROBRAS · BR
• GKSS-Forschungszentrum Geesthacht GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Rolf-Dieter Behling · Hamburg, DE
• Klaus-Viktor Peinemann · Geesthacht, DE
• Klaus Ohlrogge · Geesthacht, DE
• Jan Wind · Barsbüttel, DE
• Lidia Barreto da Silva · Rio de Janeiro, BR

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 9, 1998
• Grant date: Apr 24, 2001
• Expiry date: Oct 9, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B01D2259/416
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for separating and/or recovering gases from gas and/or gas vapor mixtures includes a membrane separating device to which a gas and/or gas vapor mixture is supplied, the latter being separated in the membrane separating device into a permeate, which is enriched with gas, and a retentate, which is depleted of gas. A first membrane separating device and a downstream second membrane separating device are provided, to which is supplied (at its inlet end) the retentate from the first membrane separating device, the first membrane separating device having a membrane which is selective for higher hydrocarbons in the gas and/or gas vapor mixture to be separated and in that the second membrane separating device has a membrane which is selected for gases of small molecular diameter.