Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of fueling gas turbines from natural gas reserves with relatively low methane concentrations. The invention uses such reserves to generate electric power. The invention permits the use of these reserves at significantly lower cost than by producing pipeline natural gas to fuel gas turbines to generate electric power. These reserves currently generally are used only after the removal of impurities to produce pipeline natural gas quality turbine fuel. The latter current technology is capital intensive, and at current natural gas prices, economically unattractive. The process of the invention can remove the impurities from the gas from the natural gas reserve necessary for protection of the environment, and leaves inert gasses in the fuel in an amount which will increase the output of a gas turbine for the generation of power by about 5 to about 20%.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a separation process in which a multi-component feed stream is introduced into a separation system that operates under solids forming conditions for at least one of the feed stream components. The freezable component, although typically CO.sub.2, H.sub.2 S or another acid gas, can be any component that has the potential for forming solids in the separation system. The multi-component feed stream is introduced into a separation system, at least a portion of which operates under solids forming conditions for at least one component of the feed stream. A vapor stream is withdrawn from an upper region of the separation system and compressed to a higher pressure stream. At least a portion of the compressed stream is cooled and then expanded to a lower pressure to further cool the compressed stream. At least a portion of the expanded stream is returned to the separation system, thereby providing refrigeration to the separation system.

Abstract: An elongated bubble cap tray allows three phases: solid, vapor and liquid, to come in contact at the bottom of a controlled freezing zone and transfer heat and mass amongst themselves. Complete melting of the solid phase may be achieved in this tray, significantly reducing or totally eliminating the need for an external source of energy as well as its associated heat transfer equipment.

Abstract: A method for conditioning the freezing zone liquid feedstream in the cryogenic separation of carbon dioxide and other acid gases from methane by use of distillation and a controlled freezing zone, including the step of sub-cooling the freezing zone liquid feedstream, so that this freezing zone liquid feedstream remains close to, but not quite at, carbon dioxide solidification conditions.