Patents by Inventor Stephen R. Frantz

Stephen R. Frantz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7429287
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and system for sweetening a raw natural gas feed stream using a multi-stage membrane separation process, and in embodiments a two-stage membrane separation process. The method and system also include use of a gas turbine which operates with an impure fuel gas stream (such as in the sense of having a relatively high CO2 and H2S acid gas contaminant content) as derived from a permeate gas stream obtained in at least the second stage of a membrane separation process, or later stages if more than two stages are employed. In embodiments, the gas turbine is coupled with an electrical generator, which generates electrical power that drives a compressor for the second stage (or higher) of the membrane separation process, as well as other process equipment associated therewith, such as air coolers and process pumps. Alternatively, the gas turbine can be coupled mechanically to the compressor employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen R. Frantz