Abstract: A multi-stage process for recovering acid gas from natural gas having high acid gas contents utilizes two or more membrane absorption contactors arranged in series. The first membrane absorption contactor uses a physical solvent to remove a high volume of acid gas transferred across a membrane, and to reduce the acid gas content in the natural gas to a lower level that can be managed using chemical solvents. The second and, if needed, subsequent membrane absorption contactors can use a chemical solvent to remove acid gas transferred across the respective membranes and reduce the acid gas content in the natural gas to very low levels, if needed, depending on product specifications.

Abstract: A process for removing carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide-loaded solvent uses two stages of flash apparatus. Carbon dioxide is flashed from the solvent at a higher temperature and pressure in the first stage, and a lower temperature and pressure in the second stage, and is fed to a multi-stage compression train for high pressure liquefaction. Because some of the carbon dioxide fed to the compression train is already under pressure, less energy is required to further compress the carbon dioxide to a liquid state, compared to conventional processes.

Abstract: A multi-stage process for recovering acid gas from natural gas having high acid gas contents utilizes two or more membrane absorption contactors arranged in series. The first membrane absorption contactor uses a physical solvent to remove a high volume of acid gas transferred across a membrane, and to reduce the acid gas content in the natural gas to a lower level that can be managed using chemical solvents. The second and, if needed, subsequent membrane absorption contactors can use a chemical solvent to remove acid gas transferred across the respective membranes and reduce the acid gas content in the natural gas to very low levels, if needed, depending on product specifications.

Abstract: A multi-stage process for recovering acid gas from natural gas having high acid gas contents utilizes two or more membrane absorption contactors arranged in series. The first membrane absorption contactor uses a physical solvent to remove a high volume of acid gas transferred across a membrane, and to reduce the acid gas content in the natural gas to a lower level that can be managed using chemical solvents. The second and, if needed, subsequent membrane absorption contactors can use a chemical solvent to remove acid gas transferred across the respective membranes and reduce the acid gas content in the natural gas to very low levels, if needed, depending on product specifications.

Abstract: A process for removing carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide-loaded solvent uses two stages of flash apparatus. Carbon dioxide is flashed from the solvent at a higher temperature and pressure in the first stage, and a lower temperature and pressure in the second stage, and is fed to a multi-stage compression train for high pressure liquefaction. Because some of the carbon dioxide fed to the compression train is already under pressure, less energy is required to further compress the carbon dioxide to a liquid state, compared to conventional processes.

Abstract: A highly cost-efficient method and process for producing oxygen from a gaseous mixture such as air results in substantial energy savings compared to conventional methods. The gaseous mixture is fed to a membrane absorber in which oxygen from the gas is absorbed, through a first membrane by an oxygen-absorbing liquid that possesses suitable absorption and desorption properties. The resulting oxygen-rich carrier liquid is fed to a membrane desorber in which oxygen from the liquid is desorbed through a second membrane, suitably with the aid of a vacuum. The oxygen product suitably has greater than 95% purity, or greater than 99% purity.

Abstract: Adsorbent pellets coated with an outer nano-porous layer can be loaded with gas at loading pressures of 250 bar or greater, enabling a much higher loading than can be achieved at low pressures. The nano-porous layer provides nano-valves which can be sealed with an adsorbate such as ethanol or a hydrocarbon to close the nano-valves. The closed nano-valves maintain the high loading pressure inside the adsorbent pellets, and thus maintain the gas loading, during storage of the loaded nano-valved adsorbent pellets at much lower pressure. To release the gas, the nano-porous layer can be heated to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the adsorbate and open the nano-valves.

Abstract: A method of processing synthesis gas improves the quality of the synthesis gas by using a water gas shift reaction to increase the molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide (H2:CO) in an efficient manner. A first steam of hot natural gas-based synthesis gas having a first higher molar ratio of H2:CO is combined with a second stream of quenched synthesis gas having a second lower molar ratio of H2:CO to provide a blend of synthesis gas having a third molar ratio of H2:CO that is between the first and second molar ratios. A non-catalytic water gas shift reaction increases the molar ratio of H2:CO to a fourth molar ratio that is higher than the third molar ratio, and can be about equal to or greater than the first molar ratio without supplying external heat.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment can be a process for sweetening natural gas to liquefied natural gas specifications. The process can include providing a membrane contactor having a lumen side and a shell side. A feed natural gas is introduced to the lumen side of the membrane contactor. An absorption solvent is introduced to the shell side of the membrane contactor. CO2 and H2S are removed with the absorption solvent from the feed natural gas resulting in a sweetened natural gas containing less than 50 ppmv CO2 and less than 4 ppmv H2S. Corresponding or associated systems for such sweetening of natural gas are also provided.

Abstract: A multi-stage process for recovering acid gas from natural gas having high acid gas contents utilizes two or more membrane absorption contactors arranged in series. The first membrane absorption contactor uses a physical solvent to remove a high volume of acid gas transferred across a membrane, and to reduce the acid gas content in the natural gas to a lower level that can be managed using chemical solvents. The second and, if needed, subsequent membrane absorption contactors can use a chemical solvent to remove acid gas transferred across the respective membranes and reduce the acid gas content in the natural gas to very low levels, if needed, depending on product specifications.

Abstract: Adsorbent pellets coated with an outer nano-porous layer can be loaded with gas at loading pressures of 250 bar or greater, enabling a much higher loading than can be achieved at low pressures. The nano-porous layer provides nano-valves which can be sealed with an adsorbate such as ethanol or a hydrocarbon to close the nano-valves. The closed nano-valves maintain the high loading pressure inside the adsorbent pellets, and thus maintain the gas loading, during storage of the loaded nano-valved adsorbent pellets at much lower pressure. To release the gas, the nano-porous layer can be heated to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the adsorbate and open the nano-valves.

Abstract: A method of processing synthesis gas improves the quality of the synthesis gas by using a water gas shift reaction to increase the molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide (H2:CO) in an efficient manner. A first steam of hot natural gas-based synthesis gas having a first higher molar ratio of H2:CO is combined with a second stream of quenched synthesis gas having a second lower molar ratio of H2:CO to provide a blend of synthesis gas having a third molar ratio of H2:CO that is between the first and second molar ratios. A non-catalytic water gas shift reaction increases the molar ratio of H2:CO to a fourth molar ratio that is higher than the third molar ratio, and can be about equal to or greater than the first molar ratio without supplying external heat.

Abstract: A multi-stage method and apparatus for producing methane from biomass in which the biomass is hydropyrolyzed in a reactor vessel containing molecular hydrogen and a deoxygenating catalyst, the output of which is hydrogenated using a hydroconversion catalyst. The output from the hydroconversion step is provided to a water-gas-shift process providing a mixture of H2O and product gases including CO2, H2, and methane. The mixture components are separated, resulting in a product stream comprising substantially only methane.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment can be a process for sweetening natural gas to liquefied natural gas specifications. The process can include providing a membrane contactor having a lumen side and a shell side. A feed natural gas is introduced to the lumen side of the membrane contactor. An absorption solvent is introduced to the shell side of the membrane contactor. CO2 and H2S are removed with the absorption solvent from the feed natural gas resulting in a sweetened natural gas containing less than 50 ppmv CO2 and less than 4 ppmv H2S. Corresponding or associated systems for such sweetening of natural gas are also provided.

Abstract: A two-stage process for upgrading a gaseous stream containing CO2 and H2S in which the gaseous stream and pressurized water are provided to a first stage absorption process in which a portion of the CO2 is absorbed by the pressurized water. The reduced-CO2 gaseous stream and a chemical solvent suitable for absorbing CO2 and H2S are provided to a second stage absorption process in which the H2S and remaining CO2 are removed from the gaseous stream, producing an acid gas stream and an upgraded gaseous stream meeting pipeline-quality specifications.

Abstract: A method and system for co-production of electric power, fuel, and chemicals in which a synthesis gas at a first pressure is expanded using a stand-alone mechanical expander or a partial oxidation gas turbine, simultaneously producing electric power and an expanded synthesis gas at a second pressure after which the expanded synthesis gas is converted to a fuel and/or a chemical.

Abstract: A multi-stage UCSRP process and system for removal of sulfur from a gaseous stream in which the gaseous stream, which contains a first amount of H2S, is provided to a first stage UCSRP reactor vessel operating in an excess SO2 mode at a first amount of SO2, producing an effluent gas having a reduced amount of SO2, and in which the effluent gas is provided to a second stage UCSRP reactor vessel operating in an excess H2S mode, producing a product gas having an amount of H2S less than said first amount of H2S.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separation of H2 gas from a gaseous mixture utilizing an H2 gas permeable metallic membrane supported directly on a porous substrate made up of at least one porous polymeric hollow fiber. In accordance with one preferred embodiment, the porous substrate is made up of a plurality of porous polymeric hollow fibers, forming a porous hollow fiber membrane. In accordance with one embodiment, a cooling fluid is disposed in contact with the hollow fiber, thereby enabling advantageous operation of the H2 gas separation process at elevated temperatures in the range of about 200° F. to about 800° F.

Abstract: A method and system for co-production of electric power, fuel, and chemicals in which a synthesis gas at a first pressure is expanded using a stand-alone mechanical expander or a partial oxidation gas turbine, simultaneously producing electric power and an expanded synthesis gas at a second pressure after which the expanded synthesis gas is converted to a fuel and/or a chemical.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separation of H2 gas from a gaseous mixture utilizing an H2 gas permeable metallic membrane supported directly on a porous substrate made up of at least one porous polymeric hollow fiber. In accordance with one preferred embodiment, the porous substrate is made up of a plurality of porous polymeric hollow fibers, forming a porous hollow fiber membrane. In accordance with one embodiment, a cooling fluid is disposed in contact with the hollow fiber, thereby enabling advantageous operation of the H2 gas separation process at elevated temperatures in the range of about 200° F. to about 800° F.