Natural gas separation using nitrogen-selective membranes of modest selectivity
US6572678B1 · kind B1 · utility
88Cited by
35References
43Claims
0Family size
Assignee
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Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 28, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jun 3, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 28, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC10L3/10
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process for treating natural gas or other methane-rich gas to remove excess nitrogen and optionally excess carbon dioxide, water vapor or hydrogen sulfide. The invention relies on gas separation by membranes, using nitrogen/methane selective membranes. The membranes are characterized by having the capability to exhibit a nitrogen/methane selectivity between about 2 and 5 at a temperature higher than about −25° C. The gas may be brought to pipeline specification for nitrogen, and acid gases if present, without requiring the use of amine scrubbing or other acid gas removal technique.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.