Helium recovery from natural gas
US9375677B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 20, 2013 |
| Grant date | Jun 28, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 25, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC10L2290/548
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Helium-containing natural gas is processed with three gas separation stages to produce a natural gas product and a Helium-containing gas that may be injected into the reservoir from which the Helium-containing natural gas is obtained. A permeate from the first gas separation membrane stage is compressed and fed to the second gas membrane stage. The permeate from the second gas separation membrane stage is recovered as the Helium-containing gas that may be injected into the reservoir. The non-permeate from the second gas separation membrane stage is fed to the third gas separation membrane stage. Non-permeates from the first and third gas separation stages are combined to produce a natural gas product. A permeate from the third gas separation membrane stage is combined with a non-permeate from the first gas separation membrane stage before it is compressed and fed to the second gas separation membrane stage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.