Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating nitrogen from a mixed stream comprising nitrogen and methane employes a monolith sorption contactor formed of a unitary construction of active carbon, the contactor housing one or more separation flow channels, the one or more channels having at least one inlet to, and at least one outlet from, said contactor, the one or more channels defining one or more first internal surfaces of the monolith sorption contactor, the contactor further comprising one or more first external surfaces provided with a barrier layer, the first external surfaces being different from the first internal surfaces. The mixed stream is passed through at least one of the separation flow channels, where methane is sorbed. The contactor can be regenerated by contacting the contactor with a heat exchange fluid via the barrier layer at one or more of the external surfaces.

Abstract: Process for producing purified hydrocarbon gas from a gas stream comprising methane and acidic contaminants, which process comprises the steps cooling the gas stream by expansion to form a mixture comprising solid and/or liquid acidic contaminants and a vapour containing gaseous hydrocarbons and a reduced amount of acidic contaminants; separating the solid and/or liquid acidic contaminants from the first mixture, yielding partly purified gas; compressing the partly purified gas; and contacting the compressed partly purified gas with an absorbing liquid to yield the purified hydrocarbon gas.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a composite ceramic/polymer membrane. The invention is further directed to the use of a composite membrane in pervaporation processes. According to the present invention there is provided a composite membrane comprising a support and a separation layer that comprises a rubbery polymer, wherein an intermediate layer is present between the separation layer and the support.