Distillation plus membrane processing of gas streams

Patent · Tue Jun 26 00:00:00 EDT 1990

OSTI ID:6570321

Waldo, R A; Burkinshaw, J R

This patent describes a process for separating components of a feed gas stream comprising carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen, methane, and higher molecular weight hydrocarbons to form a carbon dioxide-rich stream and a methane-rich stream. It comprises: passing the feed gas stream to a first fractional distillation column; withdrawing a first overhead stream from the first fractional distillation column; withdrawing a first bottoms stream from the first fractional distillation column; passing the first overhead stream to a second fractional distillation column; withdrawing a second overhead stream wherein the second overhead stream is withdrawn from the second fractional distillation column; withdrawing a second bottoms stream wherein the second bottoms stream is withdrawn from the second fractional distillation column; passing the second overhead stream to a membrane separation unit; withdrawing a residual gas stream from the membrane separation unit to form the methane-rich stream; and withdrawing a residual gas stream from the membrane separation unit to form a recycle stream having a substantially increased concentration of carbon dioxide relative to the concentration of carbon dioxide in the second overhead stream.

• Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co., Bartlesville, OK (USA)
• Patent Number(s): US 4936887; A
• Application Number: PPN: US s 7-430554
• OSTI ID: 6570321
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: 2 Nov 1989
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
CARBON DIOXIDE
DISTILLATION
HYDROGEN SULFIDES
METHANE
NITROGEN
DISTILLATION EQUIPMENT
ALKANES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
030300* - Natural Gas- Drilling
Production
& Processing