# US 7,744,677 B2 · Systems and methods for processing methane and other gases > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,744,677 B2 - Document ID: US7744677B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/754,135 - Filed: 2007-05-25 - Published: 2008-11-27 - Granted: 2010-06-29 - Earliest claimed: 2007-05-25 - Assignees: Prometheus Technologies, LLC - Inventors: John A. Barclay; Michael A. Barclay - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7744677B2 ## CPC - B01D 53/0462: {Temperature swing adsorption} - B01D 2253/102: Carbon - B01D 2253/104: Alumina - B01D 2253/108: Zeolites - B01D 2256/24: Hydrocarbons - B01D 2257/504: Carbon dioxide - B01D 2258/05: Biogas - B01D 2259/403: using three beds - B01D 2259/416: involving cryogenic temperature treatment - 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) - Y02C: CAPTURE, STORAGE, SEQUESTRATION OR DISPOSAL OF GREENHOUSE GASES [GHG] ## Abstract Systems and methods for processing methane and other gases are disclosed. A representative method in accordance with one embodiment includes directing a first portion of a gas stream through a first adsorbent while exchanging heat between a second adsorbent and a third adsorbent. The method can further include directing a second portion of the gas stream through the third adsorbent while exchanging heat between the first and second adsorbents. The method can still further include directing a third portion of the gas stream through the second adsorbent while exchanging heat between the first and third adsorbents. In further particular aspects, the adsorbent can be used to remove carbon dioxide from a flow of methane. In other particular aspects, a heat exchange fluid that is not in direct contact with the adsorbents is used to transfer heat among the adsorbents. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for processing a gas stream, comprising: removing a first portion of a constituent of a gas stream from a first portion of the gas stream by adsorbing the first portion of the constituent to a first adsorbent; transferring heat from a second adsorbent to the first adsorbent to heat and at least partially purge the first adsorbent and cool the second adsorbent; removing a second portion of the constituent from a second portion of the gas stream by adsorbing the second portion of the constituent to a third adsorbent; transferring heat from the first adsorbent to the third adsorbent to heat and at least partially purge the third adsorbent and cool the first adsorbent; removing a third portion of the constituent from a third portion of the gas stream by adsorbing the third portion of the constituent to the second adsorbent; and transferring heat from the third adsorbent to the second adsorbent to heat and at least partially purge the second adsorbent and cool the third adsorbent. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein removing a first portion of a constituent includes removing a first portion of carbon dioxide. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein removing a first portion of a constituent of a gas stream includes removing a first portion of a constituent of a methane stream. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein: adsorbing the first portion of the constituent includes adsorbing the first portion of the constituent to a first adsorbent in a first vessel; adsorbing the second portion of the constituent includes adsorbing the second portion of the constituent to a second adsorbent in a second vessel; and adsorbing the third portion of the constituent includes adsorbing the third portion of the constituent to a third adsorbent in a third vessel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein transferring heat from the second adsorbent and removing the second portion of the constituent from the second portion of the gas stream are performed simultaneously. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein transferring heat from the first adsorbent and removing the constituent from the third portion of the gas stream are performed simultaneously. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein transferring heat from the second adsorbent to the first adsorbent includes transferring heat via a heat exchange fluid that is not mixed with the gas stream. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 wherein transferring heat from the second adsorbent to the first adsorbent includes transferring heat via a flow of helium. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising liquefying the gas stream after adsorbing the constituent from the gas stream. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: passing the second portion of the gas stream through the third adsorbent after passing the first portion of the gas stream through the first adsorbent; and passing the third portion of the gas stream through the second adsorbent after passing the second portion of the gas stream through the third adsorbent. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining the gas stream at an at least approximately constant flow rate as the portions of the gas stream are sequentially directed through the first, second and third adsorbents. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising supplementing heat provided to purge the first adsorbent. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising passing each of the first, second and third portions of the gas stream sequentially through the corresponding adsorbents at a rate of about one million standard cubic feet per day. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 wherein purging the first adsorbent includes purging at least 98% of the first adsorbent in about 20 minutes or less. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein purging the first adsorbent includes directing a heat exchange fluid through conduits positioned adjacent to the first adsorbent, the conduits being thermal contact with the heat exchange fluid and the first adsorbent, the conduits isolating the first adsorbent from direct physical contact with the heat exchange fluid. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising removing additional portions of the constituent from additional portions of the gas stream by sequentially directing the gas stream into the first, third and second adsorbents. ### Claim 17 A method for processing a gas stream, comprising: directing a first portion of a gas stream through a first adsorbent while exchanging heat between a second adsorbent and a third adsorbent; directing a second portion of the gas stream through the third adsorbent while exchanging heat between the first adsorbent and the second adsorbent; and directing a third portion of the gas stream through the second adsorbent while exchanging heat between the first adsorbent and the third adsorbent. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 wherein exchanging heat between the second adsorbent and the third adsorbent includes exchanging heat via a heat exchange fluid that is not in direct contact with the second and third adsorbents. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 wherein directing a first portion of a gas stream includes directing a first portion of a methane stream. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising removing carbon dioxide from the first portion of the methane stream via contact with the first adsorbent. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 wherein directing a first portion of the gas stream through a first adsorbent while exchanging heat between a second adsorbent and a third adsorbent includes directing the first portion of the gas stream through the first adsorbent in a first vessel while exchanging heat between a second adsorbent in a second vessel and a third adsorbent in a third vessel. ### Claim 22 A method for processing a gas stream, comprising: directing a process gas stream along a process gas flow path through a first adsorbent while directing a heat exchange fluid along a heat exchanger flow path to exchange heat between a second adsorbent and a third adsorbent, the heat exchanger flow path and the process gas flow path being in fluid isolation from each other; directing process gas along the process gas flow path through the third adsorbent while directing the heat exchange fluid along the heat exchanger flow path to exchange heat between the first adsorbent and the second adsorbent; and directing process gas along the process gas flow path through the second adsorbent while directing the heat exchange fluid along the heat exchanger flow path to exchange heat between the first adsorbent and the third adsorbent. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22 wherein directing a process gas includes directing a process gas that includes methane. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22 wherein directing a process gas includes directing a process gas that includes methane though the first adsorbent, and removing carbon dioxide from the process gas with the first adsorbent. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22 wherein directing the heat exchange fluid includes directing a heat exchange fluid that includes helium. ### Claim 26 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22 wherein the first adsorbent is housed in a first vessel, the second adsorbent is housed in a second vessel, and the third adsorbent is housed in a third vessel, and wherein the method includes redirecting the process gas from one vessel to another.