Abstract: Methods for converting hydrocarbon gases into hydrocarbon liquids through Fischer-Tropsch methods. In addition to liquid hydrocarbons, a waste gas containing hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and hydrocarbons with less than 6 carbon atoms, is produced. The waste gas is separated and several gas streams are produced. One such gas stream contains methane, and has a recovery rate, in terms of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, of at least 60%. Another gas stream has a recovery rate, in terms of carbon dioxide, of at least 40%. A supplementary gas stream, which contains hydrocarbons with at least 2 carbon atoms, is also created.

Abstract: The invention concerns a treatment method which consists in using a pressure swing adsorption treatment unit (16) and causing said treatment unit (16) to follow a nominal operating cycle, based on nominal operating conditions and in order to ensure minimal performances of the feed gas treatment. It further consists in providing at least a pre-programmed auxiliary operating cycle, different from the nominal cycle, and, when the operating conditions differ from the nominal conditions to the extent that the treatment unit (16) no longer achieves its minimal performances, in imposing to the treatment unit (16) to follow the or one of the auxiliary cycles.

Abstract: A method of PSA gas separation for a gas mixture containing hydrogen and hydrocarbon impurities. The gas mixture is put in contact with silica gel and activated carbon so as to adsorb the impurities in the gas mixture. Hydrogen rich and waste gas flows are produced. The waste gas flow may be sent to the combustible network of a petrochemical site, without having to make a pressure adjustment to the waste gas.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for enriching a combustible gas. The gas mixture is initially flowing in a distribution line at a set pressure. Part of the mixture is bypassed to a separate line where it is then compressed. This compressed stream is then treated in a gas separation unit and is injected back into the distribution system at about the set pressure.

Abstract: A method of controlling a plant for processing a gas by adsorption, with N adsorbers R1 to R0 and variable N phase times. The method utilizes a mobile parameter for identifying the operating state of N adsorber which is in each successive phase time of the cycle. For a given phase time, a parameterized sequence (S, S′) of control steps for the plant are defined. A control sequencer of the plant is generated by matching an adsorber (R1 to R0) with each mobile parameter of the parameterized sequence during each phase time of the cycle, causing the succession of phase times of the cycle to be followed at all the adsorbers in operation.

Abstract: The plant (10) has N adsorbers (R1 to R0) operating according to a cycle with at most N phase times. For the method of controlling this plant, a mobile parameter for identifying the operating state of the adsorber which is in each successive phase time of the cycle is firstly associated with the said phase time. For a given phase time, a parameterized sequence (S, S′) of control steps of the plant (10) during the said given phase time is then defined, each adsorber controlled by the steps of the said sequence being denoted by the parameter for identifying the operating state of the said adsorber. A control sequencer of the plant (10) is lastly generated by matching an adsorber (R1 to R0) with each mobile parameter of the parameterized sequence during each phase time of the cycle, so as to cause the succession of phase times of the cycle to be followed at all the adsorbers in operation.

Abstract: This PSA unit is of the type comprising 2N adsorbers (N≧2) whose production outlets can be connected by gas circulation lines. The adsorbers are coupled in the form of pairs of adsorbers (A1-A4, A2-A5, A3-A6); the outlets of the adsorbers of each pair are connected by a direct line (L14, L25, L36) provided with two first valves (i3, (N+i)3); and an intermediate point (B1, B2, B3) of the direct line located between the two first valves is connected to a transverse line (2) common to all the pairs by a connection valve (12, 22, 32).

Abstract: A process for separation of a gas mixture by pressure swing adsorption, in which a pressure swing cycle comprising a sequence of steps which define adsorption, decompression/regeneration and pressure rise phases is employed for the or each adsorber. The cycle furthermore comprises at least temporarily at least one step of isolating the adsorber (II; IV) during which the pressure variation in the isolated adsorber is recorded.