US4171017A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of gas production from geopressurized geothermal brines
Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
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Filing: 1978-03-30
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Granted: 1979-10-16
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Expires: 1998-03-30
Abstract
Abstract In accordance with the method of the present invention, methane and other similar fuel components are separated from the brine found in geopressurized geothermal zones by immersing gas permeable membranes selective for these fuel components into the brine in these zones, and permitting these fuel components to permeate through the membranes while rejecting the brine. The permeated fuel components then are collected.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald L. Klass
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 17:58
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/34; E21B43/40; B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/22; B01D63/00; B01D63/06; B01D63/069; B01D63/10; B01D63/101; B01D2317/00; B01D2317/02; F; F24; F24T; F24T10/00; F24T10/20; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for separating and recovering methane and other similar fuel components from the liquids in underground fluid zones that exist naturally at high pressures comprising the steps of: (a) incorporating a gas permeable membrane selective for the methane and other similar fuel components into a gas collection system; (b) subjecting said membrane to the liquid containing the methane and other similar fuel components; (c) permeating the methane and other similar fuel components through said membrane; and (d) collecting the permeated methane and other similar fuel components while rejecting the liquid.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for separating and recovering methane and other similar fuel components from the liquids in underground fluid zones that exist naturally at high pressures comprising the steps of: (a) incorporating a gas permeable membrane selective for the methane and other similar fuel components into a gas collection system; (b) subjecting said membrane to the liquid containing the methane and other similar fuel components; (c) permeating the methane and other similar fuel components through said membrane; and (d) collecting the permeated methane and other similar fuel components while rejecting the liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said gas permeable membranes are immersed in the liquid in situ to recover the methane and other similar fuel components.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said gas permeable membranes are supported to withstand high pressure differentials.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: (e) removing the liquid from the undergound fluid zone to ground level; (f) subjecting said membrane to the liquid at ground level to remove the methane and other similar fuel components; (g) collecting the permeated methane and other similar fuel components while rejecting the liquid; and (h) reinjecting the spent liquid into the underground fluid zone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said membranes are anisotropic membranes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said membranes are composite membranes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said membranes are homogeneous membranes.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for separating and recovering methane and other similar fuel components from geopressurized geothermal brines that exist naturally at high temperatures and pressures comprising the steps of: (a) incorporating a gas permeable membrane selective for the methane and other similar fuel components into a gas collection system; (b) subjecting said membrane to the brine containing the methane and other similar fuel components; (c) permeating the methane and other similar fuel components through said membrane; and (d) collecting the permeated methane and other similar fuel components while rejecting the brine.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for separating and recovering methane and other similar fuel components from geopressurized geothermal brines that exist naturally at high temperatures and pressures comprising the steps of: (a) incorporating a gas permeable membrane selective for the methane and other similar fuel components into a gas collection system; (b) subjecting said membrane to the brine containing the methane and other similar fuel components; (c) permeating the methane and other similar fuel components through said membrane; and (d) collecting the permeated methane and other similar fuel components while rejecting the brine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 5, further comprising the steps of: (e) removing the brine from the geopressurized geothermal zone to ground level; (f) subjecting said membrane to the brine at ground level to remove the methane and other similar fuel components; (g) collecting the permeated methane and other similar fuel components while rejecting the brine; and (h) reinjecting the spent brine into the geopressurized geothermal zone.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of utilizing the heat of the brine to produce energy.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for separating and recovering methane and other similar fuel components from geopressurized geothermal brines that exist naturally at high temperatures and pressures comprising the steps of: (a) incorporating a gas permeable membrane selective for the methane and other similar fuel components into a gas collection system; (b) immersing said membrane in situ in the brine containing the methane and other similar fuel components; (c) permeating the methane and other similar fuel components through said membrane; and (d) collecting the permeated methane and other similar fuel components while rejecting the brine.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for separating and recovering methane and other similar fuel components from geopressurized geothermal brines that exist naturally at high temperatures and pressures comprising the steps of: (a) incorporating a gas permeable membrane selective for the methane and other similar fuel components into a gas collection system; (b) immersing said membrane in situ in the brine containing the methane and other similar fuel components; (c) permeating the methane and other similar fuel components through said membrane; and (d) collecting the permeated methane and other similar fuel components while rejecting the brine.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said gas permeable membranes are supported to withstand high pressure differentials and are chemically resistant to hot brines.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said gas permeable membranes are resistant to temperatures at least as high as 150° C.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-10-15 | 1983-04-16 | 1983-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-10-15 | 1987-04-16 | 1987-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-10-15 | 1991-04-16 | 1991-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |