Title: Separation process using microchannel technology

Abstract

The disclosed invention relates to a process and apparatus for separating a first fluid from a fluid mixture comprising the first fluid. The process comprises: (A) flowing the fluid mixture into a microchannel separator in contact with a sorption medium, the fluid mixture being maintained in the microchannel separator until at least part of the first fluid is sorbed by the sorption medium, removing non-sorbed parts of the fluid mixture from the microchannel separator; and (B) desorbing first fluid from the sorption medium and removing desorbed first fluid from the microchannel separator. The process and apparatus are suitable for separating nitrogen or methane from a fluid mixture comprising nitrogen and methane. The process and apparatus may be used for rejecting nitrogen in the upgrading of sub-quality methane.

Inventors:

Tonkovich, Anna Lee ^[1]; Perry, Steven T ^[2]; Arora, Ravi ^[1]; Qiu, Dongming ^[3]; Lamont, Michael Jay ^[4]; Burwell, Deanna ^[5]; Dritz, Terence Andrew ^[6]; McDaniel, Jeffrey S ^[7]; Rogers, Jr; William, A ^[8]; Silva, Laura J ^[1]; Weidert, Daniel J ^[9]; Simmons, Wayne W ^[1]; Chadwell, G Bradley ^[10]

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+ Show Inventor Affiliations

1. Dublin, OH
2. Galloway, OH
3. Bothell, WA
4. Hilliard, OH
5. Cleveland Heights, OH
6. Worthington, OH
7. Columbus, OH
8. Marysville, OH
9. Lewis Center, OH
10. Reynoldsburg, OH

Issue Date:

Tue Mar 24 00:00:00 EDT 2009

Research Org.:

National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

986342

Patent Number(s):

7507274

Application Number:

11/367,044

Assignee:

Velocys, Inc. (Plain City, OH)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01D - SEPARATION

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01J - CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY

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B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01D - SEPARATION

B01D2253/102 - Carbon
B01D2253/108 - Zeolites
B01D2253/112 - Metals or metal compounds not provided for in B01D2253/104 or B01D2253/106
B01D2253/20 - Organic adsorbents
B01D2253/3425 - Honeycomb shape
B01D2257/102 - Nitrogen
B01D2257/104 - Oxygen
B01D2257/504 - Carbon dioxide
B01D2257/7025 - Methane
B01D2257/80 - Water
B01D2259/40003 - Methods relating to valve switching
B01D2259/40081 - Counter-current
B01D2259/40088 - by heating
B01D2259/402 - using two beds
B01D2259/414 - using different types of adsorbents
B01D53/04 - with stationary adsorbents {
B01D53/0438 - {Cooling or heating systems}
B01D53/0462 - {Temperature swing adsorption}
B01D53/228 - {characterised by specific membranes}

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01J - CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY

B01J19/0093 - {Microreactors, e.g. miniaturised or microfabricated reactors
B01J2219/00783 - Laminate assemblies, i.e. the reactor comprising a stack of plates
B01J2219/00788 - Three-dimensional assemblies, i.e. the reactor comprising a form other than a stack of plates
B01J2219/00822 - Metal
B01J2219/00826 - Quartz
B01J2219/00828 - Silicon wafers or plates
B01J2219/00831 - Glass
B01J2219/00835 - Comprising catalytically active material
B01J2219/00844 - Comprising porous material
B01J2219/0086 - Dimensions of the flow channels
B01J2219/00869 - Microreactors placed in parallel, on the same or on different supports
B01J2219/00873 - Heat exchange
B01J2219/00891 - Feeding or evacuation
B01J2219/00918 - by adsorption

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02C - CAPTURE, STORAGE, SEQUESTRATION OR DISPOSAL OF GREENHOUSE GASES [GHG]

Y02C20/20 - of methane

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E50/30 - Fuel from waste

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DOE Contract Number:  

FC26-03NT41905

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION