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Title: Methane/nitrogen separation process

Abstract

A membrane separation process for treating a gas stream containing methane and nitrogen, for example, natural gas. The separation process works by preferentially permeating methane and rejecting nitrogen. We have found that the process is able to meet natural gas pipeline specifications for nitrogen, with acceptably small methane loss, so long as the membrane can exhibit a methane/nitrogen selectivity of about 4, 5 or more. This selectivity can be achieved with some rubbery and super-glassy membranes at low temperatures. The process can also be used for separating ethylene from nitrogen.

Inventors:
 [1];  [2];  [1];  [3]
  1. Palo Alto, CA
  2. Menlo Park, CA
  3. Mountain View, CA
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Membrane Technology and Research, Inc. (Menlo Park, CA)
OSTI Identifier:
871151
Patent Number(s):
5669958
Assignee:
Membrane Technology and Research, Inc. (Menlo Park, CA)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01D - SEPARATION
F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F25 - REFRIGERATION OR COOLING F25J - LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS {OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS} MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT {OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
DOE Contract Number:  
FG03-94ER81809
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
methane; nitrogen; separation; process; membrane; treating; gas; stream; containing; example; natural; preferentially; permeating; rejecting; found; meet; pipeline; specifications; acceptably; loss; exhibit; selectivity; achieved; rubbery; super-glassy; membranes; temperatures; separating; ethylene; natural gas; separation process; gas stream; stream containing; membrane separation; nitrogen separation; containing methane; gas pipe; rejecting nitrogen; permeating methane; nitrogen selectivity; preferentially permeating; /95/62/

Citation Formats

Baker, Richard W, Lokhandwala, Kaaeid A, Pinnau, Ingo, and Segelke, Scott. Methane/nitrogen separation process. United States: N. p., 1997. Web.
Baker, Richard W, Lokhandwala, Kaaeid A, Pinnau, Ingo, & Segelke, Scott. Methane/nitrogen separation process. United States.
Baker, Richard W, Lokhandwala, Kaaeid A, Pinnau, Ingo, and Segelke, Scott. Wed . "Methane/nitrogen separation process". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/871151.
@article{osti_871151,
title = {Methane/nitrogen separation process},
author = {Baker, Richard W and Lokhandwala, Kaaeid A and Pinnau, Ingo and Segelke, Scott},
abstractNote = {A membrane separation process for treating a gas stream containing methane and nitrogen, for example, natural gas. The separation process works by preferentially permeating methane and rejecting nitrogen. We have found that the process is able to meet natural gas pipeline specifications for nitrogen, with acceptably small methane loss, so long as the membrane can exhibit a methane/nitrogen selectivity of about 4, 5 or more. This selectivity can be achieved with some rubbery and super-glassy membranes at low temperatures. The process can also be used for separating ethylene from nitrogen.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1997},
month = {Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1997}
}

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Relationship between gas separation properties and chemical structure in a series of aromatic polyimides
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