US5374300A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Process for removing condensable components from gas streams
Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research Inc
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Filing: 1993-04-21
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Granted: 1994-12-20
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Expires: 2013-04-21
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: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
A membrane separation process for treating an incoming gas stream containing a condensable component in a first concentration that varies over time, comprising: producing, from said incoming gas stream that contains a condensable component in a first concentration that varies over time, a treated gas stream containing said condensable component in a second concentration that is substantially constant over time, wherein said condensable component is characterized by a boiling point higher than -100° C., and wherein said second concentration that is substantially constant over time is attained by: (a) performing a condensation step, comprising: bringing said incoming gas stream to a condition characterized in that the concentration of said condensable component is greater than its saturation concentration at said 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 saturated with said condensable component; then (b) performing a membrane separation step, comprising: providing a membrane having a feed side and a permeate side; contacting said feed side with said non-condensed stream from said condensation step; withdrawing from said permeate side a permeate stream enriched in said condensable component compared with said non-condensed stream; (c) withdrawing from said feed side the treated gas stream.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
A membrane separation process for treating an incoming gas stream containing a condensable component in a first concentration that varies over time, comprising: producing, from said incoming gas stream that contains a condensable component in a first concentration that varies over time, a treated gas stream containing said condensable component in a second concentration that is substantially constant over time, wherein said condensable component is characterized by a boiling point higher than -100° C., and wherein said second concentration that is substantially constant over time is attained by: (a) performing a condensation step, comprising: bringing said incoming gas stream to a condition characterized in that the concentration of said condensable component is greater than its saturation concentration at said 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 saturated with said condensable component; then (b) performing a membrane separation step, comprising: providing a membrane having a feed side and a permeate side; contacting said feed side with said non-condensed stream from said condensation step; withdrawing from said permeate side a permeate stream enriched in said condensable component compared with said non-condensed stream; (c) withdrawing from said feed side the treated gas stream.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said first concentration varies over time as a result of periodic cycling of the condensable component concentration between high and low values.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said first concentration varies over time as a result of irregular bursts of higher or lower than average concentration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said first concentration varies over time as a result of a single surge of higher or lower concentration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1, further comprising recycling said permeate stream to said condensation step.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 1, further comprising recycling a portion of said treated gas stream within said process as necessary to maintain the volume of said non-condensed stream substantially constant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said condensation step includes compressing said incoming gas stream.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said condensation step includes chilling said incoming gas stream.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said condensation step is carried out by indirect condensation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said condensation step is carried out by direct condensation into a coolant liquid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1, wherein at least 80% of said condensable component is removed from said incoming gas stream.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1, wherein at least 90% of said condensable component is removed from said incoming gas stream.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said condensable component comprises an organic vapor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said condensable component comprises a hydrocarbon vapor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said condensable component comprises a gasoline vapor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said condensable component comprises a halocarbon vapor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said condensable component comprises a chlorinated hydrocarbon vapor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said condensable component comprises an inorganic vapor.
Claim 20
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 21
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 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1, further comprising drying said incoming gas stream at a point prior to said condensation step.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said treated stream contains a concentration of said condensable component no greater than about 0.1%.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
83 words
A gas separation process comprising: (a) a condensation step, comprising: chilling and/or condensing an incoming gas stream, of non-constant composition and including a condensable component, to induce condensation of a portion of said stream; and (b) a membrane separation step, comprising: withdrawing an uncondensed portion of said stream; providing a membrane having a feed side and a permeate side; contacting said feed side with said uncondensed portion; withdrawing from said feed side a treated stream, said treated stream being of substantially constant composition.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
83 words
A gas separation process comprising: (a) a condensation step, comprising: chilling and/or condensing an incoming gas stream, of non-constant composition and including a condensable component, to induce condensation of a portion of said stream; and (b) a membrane separation step, comprising: withdrawing an uncondensed portion of said stream; providing a membrane having a feed side and a permeate side; contacting said feed side with said uncondensed portion; withdrawing from said feed side a treated stream, said treated stream being of substantially constant composition.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 23, wherein said condensation step includes compressing said incoming gas stream.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 23, wherein said condensation step includes chilling said incoming gas stream.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 23, wherein said condensation step is carried out by indirect condensation.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 23, wherein said condensation step is carried out by direct condensation into a coolant liquid.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 23, wherein at least 80% of said condensable component is removed from said gas stream.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 23, wherein at least 90% of said condensable component is removed from said gas stream.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 23, wherein said condensable component comprises an organic vapor.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 23, wherein said condensable component comprises a hydrocarbon vapor.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 23, wherein said condensable component comprises a gasoline vapor.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 23, wherein said condensable component comprises a halocarbon vapor.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 23, wherein said condensable component comprises a chlorinated hydrocarbon vapor.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 23, wherein said condensable component comprises an inorganic vapor.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 23, wherein a driving force for said membrane separation step is provided by a compressor upstream of said membrane separation step.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 23, 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 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 23, further comprising drying said incoming gas stream at a point prior to said condensation step.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 23, wherein said treated stream contains a concentration of said condensable component no greater than about 0.1%.
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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) | 1997-12-19 | 1998-06-20 | 1998-12-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-12-19 | 2002-06-20 | 2002-12-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-12-19 | 2006-06-20 | 2006-12-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |