Process for removing condensable components from gas streams
AssigneeMembrane Technology and Research, Inc.
InventorsJurgen Kaschemekat, Richard W. Baker, Johannes G. Wijmans
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Abstract
A process for treating a gas stream to remove or recover a condensable component. The process involves a condensation step followed by a membrane concentration step. The process is useful in treating raw gas streams containing low concentrations of the condensable component, in treating small-volume raw gas streams, as an alternative to processes that require multistage membrane separation systems, in treating raw gas streams that have the potential to form explosive mixtures, or in situations where the treated gas stream composition must meet narrow target specifications.
Claims34
A process for recovering a condensable component, characterized by a boiling point higher than -100.degree. C., from a raw gas stream, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a raw gas stream containing a low concentration, A, of a condensable component, said concentration A being below saturation under the condensation conditions of step (c);
- (b) mixing said raw gas stream with a product stream from a membrane separation step, said product stream containing a concentration, D, of said condensable component to form an incoming gas stream containing a concentration, B, of said condensable component;
- (c) performing a condensation step, comprising:
- bringing said incoming gas stream to a pressure and temperature condition characterized in that said concentration B is greater than the saturation concentration of said condensable component at said pressure and temperature condition, so that condensation of a portion of said condensable component occurs;
- withdrawing a condensed stream comprising said condensable component in liquid form;
- withdrawing a non-condensed stream containing a concentration, C, of said condensable component;
- (d) passing said non-condensed stream as a feed stream to said membrane separation step;
- wherein said concentration A is less than said concentration C and said concentrations A, B, C and D are in the relative relationship A<C<B<D.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.