US4883514A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Processing nitrogen-rich gases with physical solvents
Assignee: Advanced Extraction Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1987-07-16
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Granted: 1989-11-28
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Expires: 2007-07-16
Abstract
Abstract A process is described for processing an inert-rich natural gas stream with a lean oil physical solvent to obtain a specification-grade inert gas product, and a specification-grade hydrocarbon gas product, preferably in combination with an existing absorber plant. The process is an adaptation of the extractive flashing and extractive stripping versions of the Mehra Process.
Inventors
- 👤 Yuv R. Mehra
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:57
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10L; C10L3/00; C10L3/06; C10L3/10; C07; C07C; C07C7/00; C07C7/11; C10G; C10G5/00; C10G5/04; C10G2300/00; C10G2300/10; C10G2300/1025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A process for separating C 1 + hydrocarbons and nitrogen from a nitrogen-rich gas stream which contains more than 3 mol % of said nitrogen, comprising the following steps: A. contacting said nitrogen-rich gas stream with a lean oil, comprised of paraffinic, aromatic or cyclo hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof having molecular weights ranging between 75 and 250, at temperatures no lower than -40° F. to produce a nitrogen stream as an overhead product and a bottoms methane-rich oil stream; and B. flashing said bottoms methane-rich oil stream to recover a methane-rich overhead gas product and a lean oil rich bottoms stream; and recycling said lean oil stream to said contacting of step A.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A process for separating C 1 + hydrocarbons and nitrogen from a nitrogen-rich gas stream which contains more than 3 mol % of said nitrogen, comprising the following steps: A. contacting said nitrogen-rich gas stream with a lean oil, comprised of paraffinic, aromatic or cyclo hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof having molecular weights ranging between 75 and 250, at temperatures no lower than -40° F. to produce a nitrogen stream as an overhead product and a bottoms methane-rich oil stream; and B. flashing said bottoms methane-rich oil stream to recover a methane-rich overhead gas product and a lean oil rich bottoms stream; and recycling said lean oil stream to said contacting of step A.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said nitrogen-rich gas stream is a natural gas and is selected from the group consisting of: A. natural gas saturated with water; B. natural gas at less than saturation with water; C. sour natural gas; D. sour natural gas which is pre-sweetened in gas phase with an aqueous amine solution; E. sweet natural gas; and F. dry natural gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 2, wherein said contacting is at a pressure of 72.5-1,320 psia.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said contacting is conducted in a methane extraction column, which includes a reboiler and is operable in extractive stripping mode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said flashing produces a bottoms stream which is split into a main oil stream, containing less than 15 mol % hydrocarbons, for recycling to said contacting and an oil slipstream which is regenerated to form said lean oil stream.
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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) | 1992-11-27 | 1993-05-29 | 1993-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-27 | 1997-05-29 | 1997-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-27 | 2001-05-29 | 2001-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |