Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for removing a higher purity sidestream of a product gas from a main product pipeline gas flow stream of lower purity using a membrane selective for the product gas in contrast to impurities contained in the main product pipeline gas. The process avoids capital intensive apparatus or energy intensive processing and returns the reject gas from the membrane to the pipeline for inclusion with the main product pipeline gas. Recovery of a higher purity component of a main pipeline product gas containing that component is also contemplated.

Abstract: A process is provided for the low temperature separation of a high purity gas product at lower power requirements by permeating a feed gas stream through a membrane having a water-to-gas-product selectivity of at least about 100, separating water from the gas stream, feeding the partially dried gas stream through a molecular sieve to remove residual water, and supplying the dried gas stream to a low temperature separation unit to separate gas product(s) from the gas stream.

Abstract: A permeator system for separating at least one gaseous component from a feed gas mixture containing at least one other component using a semi-permeable membrane is disclosed which maintains high permeate product purity and desired component recovery during periods of turn-down in capacity. In accordance with the present invention, the permeator system contains a series of flow and pressure sensors and valves which regulate differential pressure across the membrane based upon permeate product demand or feed availability.

Abstract: The present invention is a continuous vacuum swing adsorption process for the fractionation of a multi-component feed gas mixture containing methane as a primary component and predominantly CO.sub.2 as a secondary component. Mulit-component feed gas is passed through a plurality of adsorption columns containing adsorbent beds which selectively retain the secondary components while the primary component is discharged from each column and collected as product. Carbon dioxide is desorbed from the adsorbent beds by a vacuum assisted internal rinse step wherein a pressurized first adsorption column is operatively connected to an evacuated second adsorption column causing CO.sub.2 and other secondary components to be countercurrently swept out of the first column and into the second column. Vacuum assisted internal rinsing of adsorption columns effectively replaces pump-driven rinse steps resulting in a substantial reduction in process power requirements.

Abstract: High purity hydrogen is produced at high recovery from liquid anhydrous ammonia. Ammonia is vaporized and subsequently dissociated into is constituents. The resulting dissociated gas stream is passed to an adiabatic metal hydride purification unit to absorb hydrogen present in the stream. The adsorbed hydrogen is then recovered as high purity product.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for recovering hydrogen from a hydrogen-containing feed stream using a metal hydride adsorption cycle. The adsorption cycle utilizes at least six separate metal hydride adsorption beds, and has been expanded over conventional adsorption cycles to include several additional process steps. Each of the separate beds successively undergoes adsorption, first equalization, rinse or second equalization, desorption, repressurization with rinse effluent, repressurization with equalization effluent and final repressurization with feed gas.

Abstract: The present invention involves a process for recovering hydrogen from a feed gas mixture comprising hydrogen and at least one other component. The feed gas mixture is initially separated in a membrane separation unit to produce a hydrogen-rich stream and a hydrogen-lean stream. The hydrogen-lean stream is subsequently treated in a cryogenic separation unit to remove a portion of the non-hydrogen components and produce a hydrogen-enriched stream. The hydrogen-enriched stream from the cryogenic separation unit is recycled and combined with the feed gas mixture to the membrane separation unit.