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US5501722A
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Natural gas treatment process using PTMSP membrane
Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research Inc
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Filing: 1995-02-15
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Granted: 1996-03-26
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Expires: 2015-02-15
Abstract
Abstract A process for separating C 3 + hydrocarbons, particularly propane and butane, from natural gas. The process uses a poly(trimethylsilylpropyne) membrane.
Inventors
- 👤 Lora G. Toy
- 👤 Ingo Pinnau
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:24
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D71/00; B01D71/06; B01D71/44; B01D53/00; B01D53/22; B01D69/00; B01D69/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A process for separating a C 3 + hydrocarbon from a gas stream comprising methane and said C 3 + hydrocarbon, said process comprising the steps of: (a) providing an incoming gas stream comprising methane and said C 3 + hydrocarbon; (b) providing a gas-separation membrane comprising poly(trimethylsilylpropyne), said membrane having a feed side and a permeate side and being more permeable to said C 3 + hydrocarbon than to methane; (c) contacting said feed side with said gas stream; (d) withdrawing from said permeate side a permeate stream enriched in said C 3 + hydrocarbon compared with said incoming gas stream; said membrane being characterized in that it exhibits a selectivity for butane over methane, when tested with gas mixtures containing butane and methane at a feed pressure no greater than about 950 psig, of at least about 10.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A process for separating a C 3 + hydrocarbon from a gas stream comprising methane and said C 3 + hydrocarbon, said process comprising the steps of: (a) providing an incoming gas stream comprising methane and said C 3 + hydrocarbon; (b) providing a gas-separation membrane comprising poly(trimethylsilylpropyne), said membrane having a feed side and a permeate side and being more permeable to said C 3 + hydrocarbon than to methane; (c) contacting said feed side with said gas stream; (d) withdrawing from said permeate side a permeate stream enriched in said C 3 + hydrocarbon compared with said incoming gas stream; said membrane being characterized in that it exhibits a selectivity for butane over methane, when tested with gas mixtures containing butane and methane at a feed pressure no greater than about 950 psig, of at least about 10.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said membrane is a composite membrane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said membrane is an asymmetric membrane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said C 3 + hydrocarbon comprises propane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said C 3 + hydrocarbon comprises butane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said mixed gas selectivity for butane over methane is least 12.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said membrane exhibits a mixed gas selectivity for propane over methane of at least 6.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1, further comprising condensing at least a portion of said permeate stream.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said C 3 + hydrocarbon is selected from the group consisting of propane, butane, pentane, hexane, heptane, octane, nonane, decane, undecane and dodecane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said C 3 + hydrocarbon comprises hexane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said gas stream comprises natural gas.
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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) | 1999-03-26 | 1999-09-25 | 2000-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-03-26 | 2003-09-25 | 2004-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-03-26 | 2007-09-25 | 2008-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |