US5205843A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for removing condensable components from gas streams
Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research Inc
•
Filing: 1992-02-14
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Granted: 1993-04-27
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Expires: 2012-02-14
Abstract
Abstract A process for treating a gas stream to remove or recover a condensable component. The process involves a condensation step followed by a membrane concentration step. The process is useful in treating raw gas streams containing low concentrations of the condensable component, in treating small-volume raw gas streams, as an alternative to processes that require multistage membrane separation systems, in treating raw gas streams that have the potential to form explosive mixtures, or in situations where the treated gas stream composition must meet narrow target specifications.
Inventors
- 👤 Jurgen Kaschemekat
- 👤 Richard W. Baker
- 👤 Johannes G. Wijmans
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:11
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
A process for recovering a condensable component, characterized by a boiling point higher than -100° C., from a raw gas stream, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a raw gas stream containing a low concentration, A, of a condensable component, said concentration A being below saturation under the condensation conditions of step (c); (b) mixing said raw gas stream with a product stream from a membrane separation step, said product stream containing a concentration, D, of said condensable component to form an incoming gas stream containing a concentration, B, of said condensable component; (c) performing a condensation step, comprising: bringing said incoming gas stream to a pressure and temperature condition characterized in that said concentration B is greater than the saturation concentration of said condensable component at said pressure and temperature condition, so that condensation of a portion of said condensable component occurs; withdrawing a condensed stream comprising said condensable component in liquid form; withdrawing a non-condensed stream containing a concentration, C, of said condensable component; (d) passing said non-condensed stream as a feed stream to said membrane separation step; wherein said concentration A is less than said concentration C and said concentrations A, B, C and D are in the relative relationship A<C<B<D.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
A process for recovering a condensable component, characterized by a boiling point higher than -100° C., from a raw gas stream, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a raw gas stream containing a low concentration, A, of a condensable component, said concentration A being below saturation under the condensation conditions of step (c); (b) mixing said raw gas stream with a product stream from a membrane separation step, said product stream containing a concentration, D, of said condensable component to form an incoming gas stream containing a concentration, B, of said condensable component; (c) performing a condensation step, comprising: bringing said incoming gas stream to a pressure and temperature condition characterized in that said concentration B is greater than the saturation concentration of said condensable component at said pressure and temperature condition, so that condensation of a portion of said condensable component occurs; withdrawing a condensed stream comprising said condensable component in liquid form; withdrawing a non-condensed stream containing a concentration, C, of said condensable component; (d) passing said non-condensed stream as a feed stream to said membrane separation step; wherein said concentration A is less than said concentration C and said concentrations A, B, C and D are in the relative relationship A<C<B<D.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said condensation step includes compressing said incoming gas stream.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 2, wherein said condensation does not raise the pressure of said incoming gas stream above 15 atmospheres.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said condensation step includes chilling said incoming gas stream.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 4, wherein said chilling does not lower the temperature of said incoming gas stream below 0° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said condensation step is carried out by indirect condensation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said condensation step is carried out by direct condensation into a coolant liquid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said product stream is a permeate stream from said membrane separation step.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said product stream is a residue stream from said membrane separation step.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said membrane separation step uses a composite membrane comprising a microporous support layer and a thin permselective coating layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said membrane separation step uses a membrane having a selectivity for said condensable component compared with a second component of said incoming gas stream of at least 5.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said membrane separation step uses a membrane having a selectivity for said condensable component compared with a second component of said incoming gas stream of at least 10.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1, wherein at least 80% of said condensable component is recovered.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1, wherein at least 90% of said condensable component is recovered.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said condensable component comprises an organic vapor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said condensable component comprises a hydrocarbon vapor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said condensable component comprises a gasoline vapor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said condensable component comprises a halocarbon vapor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said condensable component comprises a fluorocarbon vapor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said condensable component comprises a chlorinated hydrocarbon vapor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said condensable component comprises an inorganic vapor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said concentration A is less than 80% of said concentration C.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said concentration A is less than 60% of said concentration C.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said concentration A is less than 50% of said concentration C.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said concentration A is less than 30% of said concentration C.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said concentration A is less than 20% of said concentration C.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said concentration A is less than 10% of said concentration C.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1, wherein a driving force for said membrane separation step is provided by a compressor upstream of said membrane separation step.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 1, wherein a driving force for said membrane separation step is provided, at least in part, by a vacuum pump connected to a permeate side of said membrane separation step.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1, further comprising drying said raw gas stream at a point prior to said condensation step.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 30, wherein said drying is achieved by an additional condensation step.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 30, wherein said drying is achieved by sorption of water vapor.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 30, wherein said drying is achieved by an additional membrane separation step.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1, further comprising heating said non-condensed stream prior to said membrane separation step.
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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) | 1996-04-26 | 1996-10-26 | 1997-04-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-04-26 | 2000-10-26 | 2001-04-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-04-26 | 2004-10-26 | 2005-04-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |