Natural gas separation using nitrogen-selective membranes
US6565626B1 · kind B1 · utility
61Cited by
35References
39Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 28, 2001 |
| Grant date | May 20, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 28, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC10L3/106
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process for treating natural gas or other methane-rich gas to remove excess nitrogen and carbon dioxide simultaneously. The invention relies on membrane separation using nitrogen/methane and carbon dioxide/methane selective membranes. The gas can typically be brought to pipeline specification for both components, without requiring the use of amine scrubbing or other acid gas removal technique. Where water vapor or hydrogen sulfide is present in the raw gas, these contaminants may also be removed to meet pipeline specification in a single operation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.