# US 9,434,901 B2 · Device and method for separating a flowing medium mixture into fractions

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- Number: US 9,434,901 B2
- Document ID: US9434901B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/569,921
- Filed: 2005-05-31
- Published: 2008-10-23
- Granted: 2016-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 2004-06-01
- Assignees: Romico Hold A.V.V.
- Applicants: Raichel Elton Taciano Leito
- Inventors: Raichel Elton Taciano Leito
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9434901B2

## CPC

- C10L 3/102: {of acid contaminants}
- B01D 17/0217: {by centrifugal force}
- B01D 17/042: {by changing the temperature}
- B01D 19/0094: {by using a vortex, cavitation}
- B01D 45/14: generated by rotating vanes, discs, drums or brushes
- B01D 53/24: by centrifugal force (centrifuges B04B; cyclones B04C)
- B04C 3/00: Apparatus in which the axial direction of the vortex {flow following a screw-thread type line} remains unchanged {; Devices in which one of the two discharge ducts returns centrally through the vortex chamber, a reverse-flow vortex being prevented by bulkheads in the central discharge duct (combined with other devices B04C9/00)}
- C10L 3/10: Working-up natural gas or synthetic natural gas
- C10L: FUELS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NATURAL GAS; SYNTHETIC NATURAL GAS OBTAINED BY PROCESSES NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C10G OR C10K; LIQUIFIED PETROLEUM GAS; USE OF ADDITIVES TO FUELS OR FIRES; FIRE-LIGHTERS
- 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)
- B04C: APPARATUS USING FREE VORTEX FLOW, e.g. CYCLONES ({centrifugal separation of water from steam B01D45/12;} jet mills B02C19/06; {wind sifters B07B7/00;} cyclonic type combustion apparatus F23; {vortex burners for cyclone-type combustion apparatus F23D1/02; cyclonic type combustion apparatus for gas turbines F23R3/00})

## Abstract

The invention relates to a device for separating a flowing medium mixture into at least two fractions, comprising rotating means, means for physically increasing the difference in mass density of the fractions for separating, a feed for medium and a first outlet for discharging one of the fractions of the separated medium mixture. The invention also relates to a method for separating a flowing medium mixture.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for separating a contaminated gas flow into at least two fractions having different mass densities and removing CO2 and/or H2S contaminants from the gas flow, comprising:
Supplying a contaminated gas flow mixture for separating;
Expanding the gas flow mixture to physically increase the difference in mass densities of the fractions to be separated while maintaining a pressure of 10 bars or higher such that at least a portion of the CO2 and/or H2S contaminants in the expanded gas stream become liquefied and the remainder of the gas flow mixture remains in the gas phase;
Rotating the gas flow mixture in a rotating assembly of feed channels, thereby removing condensed CO2 and/or H2S from the gas flow, wherein the mixture is cooled before the mixture is separated by rotating the gas flow mixture; and
Discharging at least one of the separated fractions.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the contaminated gas flow is a natural gas stream.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the cooling of the gas flow mixture is controlled independently of the rotating of the gas flow mixture.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein
the contaminated gas flow is a natural gas stream containing CO2 and/or H2S contaminants;
the expansion of the natural gas stream lowers the temperature of the natural gas stream to a temperature lower than 50° C., thereby causing at least a portion of the CO2 and/or H2S contaminants present in the natural gas stream to change phase while the remainder of the natural gas stream remains in the gas phase; and
said contaminants are subsequently separated from the natural gas and the natural gas stream fraction is discharged from the rotating means.

### Claim 5

A method for separating a contaminated gas flow into at least two fractions having different mass densities and removing CO2 and/or H2S contaminants from the gas flow, comprising:
Supplying a contaminated gas flow mixture for separating;
Expanding the gas flow mixture to physically increase the difference in mass densities of the fractions to be separated while maintaining a pressure of 10 bars or higher such that at least a portion of the CO2 and/or H2S contaminants in the expanded gas stream become liquefied and the remainder of the gas flow mixture remains in the gas phase;
Rotating the gas flow mixture in a rotating assembly of feed channels, thereby removing condensed CO2 and/or H2S from the gas flow, wherein the expansion of the gas flow mixture is controlled independently of the rotating of the gas flow mixture; and
Discharging at least one of the separated fractions.