Back to results
US 6,035,641 AGranted
Membrane-augmented power generation
AssigneeMembane Technology and Research, Inc.
InventorKaaeid A. Lokhandwala
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for generating electric power from natural gas or the like that has a low Btu value and a high nitrogen content. The method involves a membrane separation step to remove a portion of the nitrogen from the gas. The upgraded gas is used as fuel for a turbine or other driver, which provides mechanical power to drive an electric power generator.
Claims23
A method for generating electric power, comprising the steps of:
- (a) performing a membrane separation step, comprising:
- (i) providing a membrane having a feed side and a permeate side and being selective for methane over nitrogen;
- (ii) passing a gas stream comprising methane and nitrogen across the feed side of the membrane;
- (iii) withdrawing from the feed side a residue stream depleted in methane and enriched in nitrogen compared with the gas stream;
- (iv) withdrawing from the permeate side a permeate stream enriched in methane and depleted in nitrogen compared with the gas stream;
- (b) using at least a portion of the permeate stream as combustion fuel in a driver;
- (c) using the driver to drive an electric power generator.
4 more elements
A method for generating electric power, comprising the steps of:
- (a) cooling a gas stream comprising methane, nitrogen and at least one C.sub.3+ hydrocarbon, thereby condensing at least a portion of the C.sub.3+ hydrocarbon;
- (b) withdrawing the portion as a C.sub.3+ hydrocarbon enriched product;
- (c) providing a membrane having a feed side and a permeate side and being selective for methane over nitrogen;
- (d) passing the uncondensed portion of the gas stream across the feed side of the membrane;
- (e) withdrawing from the feed side a residue stream depleted in methane and enriched in nitrogen compared with the uncondensed portion;
- (f) withdrawing from the permeate side a permeate stream enriched in methane and depleted in nitrogen compared with the uncondensed portion;
- (g) expanding the residue stream in an expander, thereby cooling it, then passing the residue stream in heat-exchanging relationship against the incoming gas stream to provide at least part of the cooling of step (a);
- (h) passing the permeate stream through a compressor driven by the expander of step (g), thereby raising the pressure of the permeate stream;
- (i) using at least a portion of the permeate stream as combustion fuel in a turbine;
- (j) using the turbine to drive an electric power generator.
7 more elements
Apparatus for generating electric power, comprising:
- (a) a membrane separation unit containing a membrane having a feed side and a permeate side and being selective for methane over nitrogen;
- (b) a driver having a combustor, the driver being connected in gas-transferring relationship to the membrane separation unit, so that gas can flow out of the membrane separation unit from the permeate side and into the combustor;
- (c) an electric power generator adapted to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy and connected in power-transferring relationship to the driver so that the driver can supply power to run the generator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.