US4235613A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Preparation of sales gas
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
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Filing: 1979-05-29
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Granted: 1980-11-25
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Expires: 1999-05-29
Abstract
Abstract Method for preparing natural gas having a high carbon dioxide, ethane and propane content to meet sales gas specifications, such as BTU requirements. The gas is prepared by cooling, followed by contacting with at least one physical solvent which has a greater affinity for heavier hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide than for methane, ethane, propane and butane. Ethane, propane and butane separated by the initial cooling are selectively recombined with the gas after solvent contact.
Inventors
- 👤 Alonzo R. Castoe
- 👤 Jan W. Bass
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 04:53
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10G; C10G5/00; C10G5/06; C07; C07C; C07C7/00; C07C7/005; C07C7/11; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S62/00; Y10S62/928; Y10S62/929
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
A method for preparing a wet gas stream of high carbon dioxide, methane, ethane and propane content containing heavier hydrocarbons to meet specifications, which comprises in combination the steps of: (a) cooling said gas stream to split same into a liquid portion of predominantly ethane, propane, butane and heavier hydrocarbons and a gaseous portion of predominantly methane and carbon dioxide; (b) fractionating said liquid portion from (a) to yield a gaseous portion of predominantly methane and carbon dioxide and a liquid portion of predominantly ethane, propane, butane and heavier hydrocarbons; (c) fractionating said liquid portion from (b) to yield a gaseous portion of predominantly ethane, propane, and butane and a liquid portion of predominantly heavier hydrocarbons; (d) combining the gaseous portion of (a) and (b) and contacting same with at least one physical solvent which has greater absorbing affinity for carbon dioxide and heavier hydrocarbons than methane, ethane, propane, and butane; (e) recovering the gaseous hydrocarbons not sorbed by the physical solvent in (d); (f) combining the gaseous portion of (c) with the recovered gaseous hydrocarbons of (e) to provide a sales gas which meets specifications; and (g) recovering said sorbed hydrocarbons in (d) from said physical solvent and recycling a portion of same to step (a).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
207 words
A method for preparing a wet gas stream of high carbon dioxide, methane, ethane and propane content containing heavier hydrocarbons to meet specifications, which comprises in combination the steps of: (a) cooling said gas stream to split same into a liquid portion of predominantly ethane, propane, butane and heavier hydrocarbons and a gaseous portion of predominantly methane and carbon dioxide; (b) fractionating said liquid portion from (a) to yield a gaseous portion of predominantly methane and carbon dioxide and a liquid portion of predominantly ethane, propane, butane and heavier hydrocarbons; (c) fractionating said liquid portion from (b) to yield a gaseous portion of predominantly ethane, propane, and butane and a liquid portion of predominantly heavier hydrocarbons; (d) combining the gaseous portion of (a) and (b) and contacting same with at least one physical solvent which has greater absorbing affinity for carbon dioxide and heavier hydrocarbons than methane, ethane, propane, and butane; (e) recovering the gaseous hydrocarbons not sorbed by the physical solvent in (d); (f) combining the gaseous portion of (c) with the recovered gaseous hydrocarbons of (e) to provide a sales gas which meets specifications; and (g) recovering said sorbed hydrocarbons in (d) from said physical solvent and recycling a portion of same to step (a).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said physical solvent is selected from the group consisting of acetone, propylene carbonate, dimethylether of polyethylene glycol, n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, methanol and methyl-cyanoacetate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said well gas stream contains at least 5 mol percent carbon dioxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the remaining portion of said recovered sorbed hydrocarbons in step (g) is utilized as facility fuel.
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) | 1983-11-25 | 1984-05-26 | 1984-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-25 | 1988-05-26 | 1988-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-25 | 1992-05-26 | 1992-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |