US3713271A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process and apparatus for recovering a gas constituent by membrane separation
Assignee: Texaco Inc
•
Filing: 1970-10-09
•
Granted: 1973-01-30
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Expires: 1990-10-09
Abstract
Abstract A process or system employing membrane separation to recover helium from a petroleum gas well. It includes pressure actuated compressing apparatus connected to the membrane separator so as to automatically compress the recovered helium.
Inventors
- 👤 W Franz
- 👤 H Hess
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 02:41
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01B; C01B23/00; B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/22; B01D53/225; B01D53/226; Y; Y02; Y02C; Y02C20/00; Y02C20/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
21 words
A system for recovering helium from a natural gas well having a supply of petroleum gas under pressure, comprising in combination
Claim 2
Independent Claim
21 words
A system for recovering helium from a natural gas well having a supply of petroleum gas under pressure, comprising in combination
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
membrane means for separating said helium having a. an inlet for said petroleum gas, b. an effluent gas outlet, and c. an outlet for the permeation product from said membrane,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
membrane means for separating said helium having a. an inlet for said petroleum gas, b. an effluent gas outlet, and c. an outlet for the permeation product from said membrane,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
9 words
means for removing carbon dioxide from said petroleum gas,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
9 words
means for removing carbon dioxide from said petroleum gas,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said membrane means (1) comprises a plurality of stages, and means for interconnecting said stages to recirculate said permeation products and said effluent gases after the initial stages.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 2 wherein there are six stages with two initial stages.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
means for connecting said supply of petroleum gas to said CO2 removing means (2)
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
means for connecting said supply of petroleum gas to said CO2 removing means (2)
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
pressure actuated means for compressing said permeation product having d. an input expansion side, and e. an output compression side,
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
pressure actuated means for compressing said permeation product having d. an input expansion side, and e. an output compression side,
Claim 13
Independent Claim
152 words
A system for recovering helium from a mixture under pressure wherein said helium is a small percentage of said mixture, comprising in combination a natural-gas well source of said mixture under pressure, membrane means for separating said constituent at a reduced pressure having a plurality of stages for increasing the concentration of helium and each stage having an inlet for said mixture and an effluent gas outlet under pressure and a permeation product outlet, pressure transfer means having an expander section connected mechanically to a compressor section, means for connecting said source to said membrane means inlet, means for connecting said effluent gas outlet to said expander section, means for connecting said permeation product outlet to said compressor section, storage means for said permeation product, means for connecting said compressor section to said storage means, and means for removing carbon dioxide from said mixture prior to introduction into said membrane means inlet.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
152 words
A system for recovering helium from a mixture under pressure wherein said helium is a small percentage of said mixture, comprising in combination a natural-gas well source of said mixture under pressure, membrane means for separating said constituent at a reduced pressure having a plurality of stages for increasing the concentration of helium and each stage having an inlet for said mixture and an effluent gas outlet under pressure and a permeation product outlet, pressure transfer means having an expander section connected mechanically to a compressor section, means for connecting said source to said membrane means inlet, means for connecting said effluent gas outlet to said expander section, means for connecting said permeation product outlet to said compressor section, storage means for said permeation product, means for connecting said compressor section to said storage means, and means for removing carbon dioxide from said mixture prior to introduction into said membrane means inlet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
7 words
a storage tank for said helium, and
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
7 words
a storage tank for said helium, and
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
first means for connecting said outlet (c) to said compression side (e), and
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
first means for connecting said outlet (c) to said compression side (e), and
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
second means for connecting said compression side (e) to said storage tank (6) for storing the recovered helium.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
second means for connecting said compression side (e) to said storage tank (6) for storing the recovered helium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-30 | 1976-07-31 | 1977-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-30 | 1980-07-31 | 1981-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-30 | 1984-07-31 | 1985-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |