Process for natural gas production
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsWilliam J. Whyman, David Farr, Jan De Ren, Manu Gustaaf Rosa Van Leuvenhaege
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Processes for natural gas production are described. The processes involve combining a membrane separation system and a thermal oxidizing system. The high and low hydrocarbon permeate streams from the membrane separation system are introduced into the thermal oxidizing system separately. The high hydrocarbon permeate stream provides fuel for the thermal oxidizing system, allowing a reduction in external fuel usage. The reduction in total fuel required yields increased gas production for the total plant. A solvent based acid gas removal system can optionally be included.
Claims20
A process for natural gas purification comprising:
- passing a natural gas feed stream to a membrane separation system to separate the natural gas feed stream into a first permeate gas stream having a first hydrocarbon concentration, a second permeate gas stream having a second hydrocarbon concentration, the first concentration being higher than the second concentration, and a purified natural gas stream;
- introducing the first permeate gas stream into a thermal oxidizing system at a first position, the thermal oxidizing system comprising a combustion chamber with a fuel gas inlet, a combustion air inlet, two or more permeate stream inlets, and a burner positioned in the combustion chamber;
- introducing the second permeate gas stream to the thermal oxidizing unit at a second position;
- and
- recovering the purified natural gas stream.
A process for natural gas purification comprising:
- treating a natural gas feed stream in a solvent based acid gas removal system to form a purified natural gas stream and an acid gas stream;
- passing the purified natural gas stream to a membrane separation system to separate the purified natural gas stream into a first permeate gas stream having a first hydrocarbon concentration, a second permeate gas stream having a second hydrocarbons concentration, the first concentration being higher than the second concentration, and a purified natural gas product stream;
- introducing the first permeate gas stream into a thermal oxidizing unit at a first position, the thermal oxidizing unit comprising a chamber, a burner positioned in the chamber, a fuel gas inlet, a combustion air inlet, and two or more permeate stream inlets;
- introducing the second permeate gas stream to the thermal oxidizing unit at a second position;
- passing the acid gas stream to the thermal oxidizing unit;
- and
- recovering the purified natural gas product stream.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.