Patent · US Expired

Introgen rejection method

US6609393B2 · kind B2 · utility

10Cited by
8References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMay 9, 2002
Grant dateAug 26, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 9, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S62/927
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method of forming a methane product by rejecting nitrogen from a feed gas stream comprising methane and nitrogen is disclosed. After being cooled in a main heat exchanger, the feed gas stream is rectified in a double rectification column comprising a higher pressure column and a lower pressure column. A gas flow is recycled from the lower pressure column to the higher pressure column. Part of the recycle flow is compressed in a compressor, cooled, liquefied in a condenser-reboiler and introduced into the higher pressure column. Another part of the recycle flow is also compressed in the compressor, cooled, liquefied in the main heat exchanger or by expansion, and introduced into the double rectification column in liquid state. At least part of the cooling of both parts of the recycle gas is performed in the main heat exchanger. A liquid methane product is withdrawn from the lower pressure column.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.