Natural gas apparatus and method for in-situ processing

A natural gas processing system for use in connection with a natural gas source and raw source natural gas produced by the source, the natural gas processing system comprising:

• a mobile platform adapted for being transported to the natural gas source;
• a liquid removal tank juxtaposed with the mobile platform, the liquid removal tank being adapted for attachment in fluid communication to the natural gas source for receiving the source natural gas, the liquid removal tank being adapted for separating liquid contaminants from the source natural gas, the liquid removal tank being adapted for allowing passage of the natural gas therethrough;
• a source natural gas valve connected in fluid communication with the natural gas source and the liquid removal tank for controlling the source natural gas entering the liquid removal tank;
• a particulate filter mounted on the mobile platform, the particulate filter being connected downstream of and in fluid communication with the liquid removal tank, the particulate filter being adapted for removing particulate matter from the natural gas, the particulate filter being adapted for allowing passage of the natural gas therethrough;
• a membrane mounted on the mobile platform, the membrane being connected downstream of and in fluid communication with the particulate filter, the membrane being adapted for separating the natural gas into a retentate gas and a permeate gas, the membrane being adapted for allowing passage of the permeate gas therethrough, and restricting passage of the retentate gas therethrough;
• a retentate valve connected downstream of and in fluid communication with the membrane for controlling the retentate gas;
• a gas compressor mounted on the mobile platform, the gas compressor being connected in fluid communication with the membrane, the gas compressor being adapted for compressing the natural gas and allowing passage of the natural gas therethrough, the gas compressor being powered by the natural gas, the gas compressor being adapted for selective connections upstream of the membrane and downstream of the membrane, wherein the gas compressor is selectively connected in fluid communication with the membrane in a one of:
• upstream of the membrane so as to compress the natural gas before entering the membrane, wherein a pressure of the source natural gas entering the natural gas processing system is less than a predetermined pressure;
• and
• downstream of the membrane so as to compress the natural gas after exiting the membrane, wherein the pressure of the source natural gas entering the natural gas processing system is greater than the predetermined pressure;
• an electrical generator juxtaposed with the mobile platform for supplying process electricity, the electrical generator being powered by the natural gas;
• an air compressor mounted on the mobile platform for supplying process compressed air, the air compressor being operatively connected to the electrical generator and powered by electricity from the electrical generator;
• and
• a process control operatively connected to the source natural gas valve, the retentate valve, the gas compressor, the electrical generator, and the air compressor, for controlling the natural gas processing system, wherein the selective connections are controlled by the process control.