Methods and systems for natural gas purification integrated with gas compression

A method for purifying and compressing natural gas, said method comprising:

• (a) providing a methane-containing input stream;
• (b) conveying said methane-containing input stream to a first compression sub-system configured with one or more first-compression stages;
• (c) compressing said methane-containing input stream, in said first compression sub-system, to generate an initial compressed gas stream that is at a first pressure selected from 100 psig to 4500 psig and a first temperature selected from 100°F to 500°F;
• (d) conveying at least a portion of said initial compressed gas stream to a low-temperature separation sub-system configured to cool said initial compressed gas stream down to a second temperature that is lower than said first temperature, wherein at least one liquid contaminant is removed from said low-temperature separation sub-system, thereby generating an intermediate compressed gas stream that is at a second pressure selected from 100 psig to 2000 psig;
• (e) conveying said intermediate compressed gas stream to a second compression sub-system configured with one or more second-compression stages, to generate a compressed gas product stream at a third pressure selected from 2000 psig to 5000 psig and a third temperature that is higher than said second temperature;
• (f) recovering said compressed gas product stream containing purified natural gas;
• and
• (g) feeding said compressed gas product stream into a mobile container,
• wherein said first compression sub-system and said second compression sub-system are driven by a single engine or motor, and wherein said first compression sub-system, said low-temperature separation sub-system, and said second compression sub-system are built as a single integrated unit.