# US 10,369,514 B2 · Device and method for separating a gas mixture

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- Number: US 10,369,514 B2
- Document ID: US10369514B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/527,855
- Filed: 2016-09-09
- Published: 2018-11-22
- Granted: 2019-08-06
- Earliest claimed: 2015-09-10
- Assignees: Axiom Angewandte Prozesstechnik Ges.M.B.H.
- Applicants: Axiom Angewandte Prozesstechnik Ges.M.B.H.
- Inventors: Johannes Szivacz; Johannes Wintersperger
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369514B2

## CPC

- B01D 53/22: by diffusion (manufacturing semi-permeable membranes B01D67/00; form, structure or properties of semi-permeable membranes B01D69/00; material for semi-permeable membranes B01D71/00)
- B01D 53/30: Controlling by gas-analysis apparatus (regulating non electrical variables in general G05D)
- C07C 7/144: using membranes, e.g. selective permeation
- C10L 3/104: {Carbon dioxide}
- B01D 2256/245: Methane
- B01D 2257/504: Carbon dioxide
- B01D 2258/05: Biogas
- C10L 2290/548: Membrane- or permeation-treatment for separating fractions, components or impurities during preparation or upgrading of a fuel
- Y02C 20/40: of CO2
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)
- C07C: ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
- C10L: FUELS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NATURAL GAS; SYNTHETIC NATURAL GAS OBTAINED BY PROCESSES NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C10G OR C10K; LIQUIFIED PETROLEUM GAS; USE OF ADDITIVES TO FUELS OR FIRES; FIRE-LIGHTERS
- Y02C: CAPTURE, STORAGE, SEQUESTRATION OR DISPOSAL OF GREENHOUSE GASES [GHG]

## Abstract

The invention relates to a device for separating a gas mixture into a product gas and an offgas by gas permeation, having a membrane unit (I) and a compressor (3) that is connected upstream of the membrane unit (I) and is preferably adjustable in terms of rotational speed, which membrane unit (I) has a gas inlet (I a), an outlet (I b) for retentate or product gas, and an outlet (I c) for permeate or offgas, wherein the membrane unit (I) has at least one other permeate outlet (1c′) that is downstream of the gas inlet (1a), and the permeate outlet (1c′) of the membrane unit (I) is connected by lines on the suction side to the compressor (3) or to the gas supply leading into the compressor, and wherein a pressure-regulating device (2) is provided at or downstream of the retentate outlet (Ib), and use is made of a gas mixture, consisting primarily of CH4/CO2 and having a methane concentration of not greater than 30% by volume; and to the use of such a device and to a corresponding method.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for separating a mixture of gases into product gas and off gas by gas permeation comprising:
a speed-adjustable compressor;
a membrane unit downstream of the speed-adjustable compressor, the membrane unit comprising a gas inlet, a retentate or product gas outlet, a first permeate gas outlet, and at least one further permeate outlet located downstream of the gas inlet that is connected via a conduit to the compressor or a gas supply leading to the compressor; and
a pressure control unit at or downstream of the retentate outlet;
wherein the device is adapted to separate a mixture of gases comprising CH4 and CO2 and a methane concentration of not more than 30% by volume.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the speed-adjustable compressor is a rotational speed-adjustable compressor.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, further comprising a pressure control unit in the conduit leading from the at least one further permeate outlet of the membrane unit to the compressor or a gas supply leading to the compressor.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the speed-adjustable compressor and/or the pressure control unit is/are connected to a control unit.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The device of claim 4, wherein the speed-adjustable compressor and the pressure control unit are connected to the control unit.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The device of claim 4, wherein the pressure control unit is connected to the control unit.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, comprising a second speed-adjustable compressor and/or a second pressure control unit at or downstream of the first permeate gas outlet.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The device of claim 7, comprising a second speed-adjustable compressor further defined as a rotational speed-adjustable compressor.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The device of claim 7, wherein the second speed-adjustable compressor and/or the second pressure control unit is/are connected to a control unit.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The device of claim 7, comprising a second speed-adjustable compressor and a second pressure control unit at or downstream of the first permeate gas outlet.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The device of claim 10, wherein the second speed-adjustable compressor and the second pressure control unit are connected to the control unit.