Patents Assigned to Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
  • Separation process using pervaporation and dephlegmation
    Publication number: 20040000521
    Abstract: A process for treating liquids containing organic compounds and water. The process includes a pervaporation step in conjunction with a dephlegmation step to treat at least a portion of the permeate vapor from the pervaporation step. The process yields a membrane residue stream, a stream enriched in the more volatile component (usually the organic) as the overhead stream from the dephlegmator and a condensate stream enriched in the less volatile component (usually the water) as a bottoms stream from the dephlegmator. Any of these may be the principal product of the process. The membrane separation step may also be performed in the vapor phase, or by membrane distillation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Applicants: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc., United States Environmental Protection Agency
    Inventors: Leland M. Vane, Anurag P. Mairal, Alvin Ng, Franklin R. Alvarez, Richard W. Baker
  • Separation of organic mixtures using gas separation or pervaporation and dephlegmation
    Publication number: 20030233934
    Abstract: A process for treating mixtures of organic components, including azeotropic mixtures. The process includes a gas- or liquid-phase membrane separation step in conjunction with a dephlegmation step to treat at least a portion of the permeate vapor from the pervaporation step. The process yields a membrane residue stream, a stream enriched in the more volatile component as the overhead stream from the dephlegmator and a condensate stream enriched in the less volatile component as a bottoms stream from the dephlegmator. Any of these may be the principal product of the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Johannes G. Wijmans, Richard W. Baker, Anurag P. Mairal
  • Carbon dioxide removal process
    Patent number: 6648944
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating carbon dioxide from gas, especially natural gas, that also contains C3+ hydrocarbons. The invention uses two or three membrane separation steps, optionally in conjunction with cooling/condensation under pressure, to yield a lighter, sweeter product natural gas stream, and/or a carbon dioxide stream of reinjection quality and/or a natural gas liquids (NGL) stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Andre R. Da Costa, Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala
  • Nitrogen removal from natural gas using two types of membranes
    Patent number: 6630011
    Abstract: A process for treating natural gas or other methane-rich gas to remove excess nitrogen. The invention relies on two-stage membrane separation, using methane-selective membranes for the first stage and nitrogen-selective membranes for the second stage. The process enables the nitrogen content of the gas to be substantially reduced, without requiring the membranes to be operated at very low temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala, Johannes G. Wijmans, Andre R. Da Costa
  • Hydrogen/hydrocarbon separation process, including PSA and membranes
    Patent number: 6592749
    Abstract: An improved process for separating hydrogen from hydrocarbons. The process includes a pressure swing adsorption step, a compression/cooling step and a membrane separation step. The membrane step uses a rubbery polymeric membrane selective for all C1-C6 hydrocarbons over hydrogen. The process can produce three products: a high-purity hydrogen stream, an LPG stream and a light hydrocarbon fuel gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala, Richard W. Baker
  • Gas separation using organic-vapor-resistant membranes and PSA
    Patent number: 6592650
    Abstract: A process for separating a gas from a gas mixture containing an organic compound gas or vapor by a hybrid separation combining adsorption with membrane gas separation, using membranes selective for the gas over the organic compound. The membranes use a selective layer made from a polymer having repeating units of a fluorinated cyclic structure of an at least 5-member ring, and demonstrate good resistance to plasticization by the organic components in the gas mixture under treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Ingo Pinnau, Zhenjie He, Andre R. Da Costa, Karl D. Amo, Ramin Daniels
  • Hydrogen production by process including membrane gas separation
    Patent number: 6589303
    Abstract: An improved process and process train for hydrogen separation and production from gas streams containing hydrogen and light hydrocarbons. The process includes both recovery of hydrogen already in the stream by membrane separation and PSA, and production of additional hydrogen by steam reforming of the hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala, Richard W. Baker
  • Nitrogen gas separation using organic-vapor-resistant membranes
    Patent number: 6579341
    Abstract: A process for separating nitrogen from a multicomponent gas mixture containing nitrogen and a hydrocarbon, such as natural gas or associated gas, using gas-separation membranes selective for nitrogen over the hydrocarbon. The membranes use a selective layer made from a polymer having repeating units of a fluorinated polymer, and demonstrate good resistance to plasticization by the organic components in the gas mixture under treatment, and good recovery after exposure to liquid aromatic hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Ingo Pinnau, Zhenjie He, Karl D. Amo, Andre R. Da Costa, Ramin Daniels
  • Carbon dioxide gas separation using organic-vapor-resistant membranes
    Patent number: 6572680
    Abstract: A process for separating carbon dioxide from a multicomponent gas mixture containing carbon dioxide and a hydrocarbon, such as natural gas or associated gas, using gas-separation membranes selective for carbon dioxide over the hydrocarbon. The membranes use a selective layer made from a polymer having repeating units of a fluorinated polymer, and demonstrate good resistance to plasticization by the organic components in the gas mixture under treatment, and good recovery after exposure to liquid aromatic hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Ingo Pinnau, Zhenjie He, Karl D. Amo, Andre R. Da Costa, Ramin Daniels
  • Gas separation using organic-vapor-resistant membranes in conjunction with organic-vapor-selective membranes
    Patent number: 6572679
    Abstract: A process for treating a gas mixture containing at least an organic compound gas or vapor and a second gas, such as natural gas, refinery off-gas or air. The process uses two sequential membrane separation steps, one using membrane selective for the organic compound over the second gas, the other selective for the second gas over the organic vapor. The second-gas-selective membranes use a selective layer made from a polymer having repeating units of a fluorinated polymer, and demonstrate good resistance to plasticization by the organic components in the gas mixture under treatment, and good recovery after exposure to liquid aromatic hydrocarbons. The membrane steps can be combined in either order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Ingo Pinnau, Zhenjie He, Andre R. Da Costa, Ramin Daniels, Karl D. Amo, Johannes G. Wijmans
  • Natural gas separation using nitrogen-selective membranes of modest selectivity
    Patent number: 6572678
    Abstract: A process for treating natural gas or other methane-rich gas to remove excess nitrogen and optionally excess carbon dioxide, water vapor or hydrogen sulfide. The invention relies on gas separation by membranes, using nitrogen/methane selective membranes. The membranes are characterized by having the capability to exhibit a nitrogen/methane selectivity between about 2 and 5 at a temperature higher than about −25° C. The gas may be brought to pipeline specification for nitrogen, and acid gases if present, without requiring the use of amine scrubbing or other acid gas removal technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Johannes Gerard Wijmans, Richard W. Baker, Zhenjie He, Ingo Pinnau
  • Natural gas separation using nitrogen-selective membranes
    Patent number: 6565626
    Abstract: A process for treating natural gas or other methane-rich gas to remove excess nitrogen and carbon dioxide simultaneously. The invention relies on membrane separation using nitrogen/methane and carbon dioxide/methane selective membranes. The gas can typically be brought to pipeline specification for both components, without requiring the use of amine scrubbing or other acid gas removal technique. Where water vapor or hydrogen sulfide is present in the raw gas, these contaminants may also be removed to meet pipeline specification in a single operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Johannes G. Wijmans, Zhenjie He, Ingo Pinnau
  • Hydrogen gas separation using organic-vapor-resistant membranes
    Patent number: 6544316
    Abstract: A process for separating hydrogen from a multicomponent gas mixture containing hydrogen and a hydrocarbon, using gas-separation membranes selective for hydrogen over the hydrocarbon. The membranes use a selective layer made from a polymer having repeating units of a fluorinated polymer, and demonstrate good resistance to plasticization by the organic components in the gas mixture under treatment, and good recovery after exposure to liquid aromatic hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Ingo Pinnau, Zhenjie He, Karl D. Amo, Andre R. Da Costa, Ramin Daniels
  • Membrane-augmented manufacture of cumene
    Patent number: 6525236
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing cumene by reacting propylene with benzene, including treating a vent stream from the reaction zone, to recover propylene for return to the reactor. The process involves using a gas separation membrane to separate propylene from propane in the reactor vent stream. The membrane separation step results in a residue stream typically containing as much as 30%, 40% or more propane, which is vented from the process, and a permeate stream containing 95% or less propylene, which is recirculated to the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Andre R. Da Costa, Ramin Daniels
  • Membrane gas separation process with compressor interstage recycle
    Patent number: 6428606
    Abstract: A process for treating a gas stream containing an organic component and a second gas. The process uses at least two compression stages, followed by membrane separation, with recirculation of the membrane permeate streams to different points in the compression train. The process provides particular benefits for separations characterized by modest membrane selectivity and a high concentration of the organic component in the remaining gas the compression steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Gottschlich, Matthew Ringer
  • Two-step process for nitrogen removal from natural gas
    Patent number: 6425267
    Abstract: A process for treating natural gas or other methane-rich gas to remove excess nitrogen. The invention relies on membrane separation using methane-selective membranes, but does not require the membranes to be operated at very low temperatures. We have found that, by using a two-step membrane system design, and controlling the operating pressures for the membrane steps within certain ranges, the capital and operating costs of the process can be kept within economically acceptable limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala, Johannes G. Wijmans, Andre R. Da Costa
  • Membrane-augmented manufacture of propylene derivatives
    Patent number: 6414202
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing isopropyl alcohol by reacting propylene with a reagent, including treating a vent stream from the reaction zone, to recover propylene for return to the reactor. The process involves using a gas separation membrane to separate propylene from propane in the reactor vent stream. The membrane separation step results in a residue stream typically containing as much as 30% propane or more, which is vented from the process, and a permeate stream typically containing 95% or less propylene, which is recirculated to the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Andre R. Da Costa, Ramin Daniels
  • Gas separation using C3+ hydrocarbon-resistant membranes
    Patent number: 6361582
    Abstract: A process for separating a gas from a gas mixture containing the gas and a C3+ hydrocarbon vapor, using gas-separation membranes selective for the gas over the C3+ hydrocarbon vapor. The membranes use a selective layer made from a polymer having repeating units of a fluorinated polymer, and demonstrate good resistance to plasticization by the organic components in the gas mixture under treatment, and good recovery after exposure to liquid aromatic hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Ingo Pinnau, Zhenjie He, Andre R. Da Costa, Karl D. Amo, Ramin Daniels
  • Gas separation using organic-vapor-resistant membranes
    Patent number: 6361583
    Abstract: A process for separating a gas from a gas mixture containing an organic compound gas or vapor, using gas-separation membranes selective for the gas over the organic compound. The membranes use a selective layer made from a polymer having repeating units of a fluorinated cyclic structure of an at least 5-member ring, and demonstrate good resistance to plasticization by the organic components in the gas mixture under treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Ingo Pinnau, Zhenjie He, Andre R. Da Costa, Karl D. Amo, Ramin Daniels
  • Refinery process including membrane separation
    Patent number: 6350371
    Abstract: An improved process and process train for catalytic reforming of hydrocarbons. In its most simple form, the invention includes four unit operations or steps: the reforming itself usually carried out in a series of reactors; one or more steps to separate the reformate liquid product from overhead gases, predominantly C1-C6 hydrocarbons and hydrogen; one or more treatment steps to recover hydrogen from the overhead gases, and one or more treatment steps, including a membrane gas separation step, for the waste gas from the hydrogen recovery step. The process provides improved recovery of hydrogen and LPG, and reduces the amount of gas sent to the fuel line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala, Richard W. Baker