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Methane/nitrogen separation process

Patent ·
OSTI ID:871151
 [1];  [2];  [1];  [3]
  1. Palo Alto, CA
  2. Menlo Park, CA
  3. Mountain View, CA
+ Show Author Affiliations
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.
Research Organization:
Membrane Technology and Research, Inc. (Menlo Park, CA)
DOE Contract Number:
FG03-94ER81809
Assignee:
Membrane Technology and Research, Inc. (Menlo Park, CA)
Patent Number(s):
US 5669958
OSTI ID:
871151
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (7)

The transport properties of polyimide isomers containing hexafluoroisopropylidene in the diamine residue journal August 1994
Relationship between gas separation properties and chemical structure in a series of aromatic polyimides journal April 1988
Structure-permeability relationships in silicone polymers journal June 1987
Gas and vapor permeation and sorption in poly (trimetylsilylpropyne) journal August 1991
Permeability and permselectivity of gases in fluorinated and non-fluorinated polyimides journal January 1992
Energy minimization of separation processes using conventional/membrane hybrid systems report September 1990
Sorption and transport of various gases in polycarbonate journal January 1977

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