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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Low-temperature purification of fluids

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6282038

An adsorption method is described for purifying gas streams. It utilizes a temperature at or below the freezing point of the constituents to be adsorptively removed from the stream. Operating at or below such temperature greatly increases the adsorption capacity of the adsorptive material. For example, the method described may be utilized for purifying helium recovered from helium-containing natural gas. Removable from such a helium gas stream are hydrogen, methane and heavier hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, neon, argon, krypton, and xenon. Removable from a methane stream (natural gas) are hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, moisture, and other minor amount constituents often part of a methane stream. While the invention is particularly described in terms of its application to a purification process of helium, those knowledgeable in the art will recognize that it may also be used for the purification of other types of gas streams. (10 claims)

Assignee:
TUL; EDB-81-109190
Patent Number(s):
US 3616602
OSTI ID:
6282038
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English