Nitrogen Removal From Natural Gas

Problem

Natural gas can be transported by pipeline only if it contains less than a specified amount of nitrogen.  In general, gas containing more than 6% nitrogen must be treated to remove the nitrogen.

Membrane Solution

MTR’s membrane system produces pipeline-quality or pipeline-acceptable gas and a nitrogen-rich fuel from raw natural gas.  The proprietary membranes are significantly more permeable to methane, ethane, and other hydrocarbons than to nitrogen. Gas containing 8% to 15% nitrogen is compressed and passed across a first set of membrane modules.  The permeate, which contains 4% nitrogen, is sent to the pipeline; the nitrogen-rich residue gas is passed to a second set of membrane modules.  These modules produce a residue gas containing 50% nitrogen and a nitrogen-depleted permeate containing 10% to 20% nitrogen.  The residue gas is used as fuel; the permeate is mixed with the incoming feed gas for further recovery. 

Benefits


Standardized skid designs are used for N2 removal applications
  • Nitrogen content reduced to pipeline specification (3% or higher)
  • Heavy hydrocarbons captured in the product gas
  • Easy, low-cost installation; system can be installed in hours
  • Membrane unit requires no maintenance; robust long-lasting membranes
  • System is easily moved from one location to another

System Performance

  • Feed rate: 0.4 to > 100 MMscfd
  • Feed N2 content: 4% to 50%
  • Target N2% or  BTU value
  • Product gas pressure: 35 to 350 psia
  • Product BTU recovery: 90%+
  • Heavy hydrocarbon recovery : >95%

Inquiry Form

 
Membrane Technology and Research, Inc. 1360 Willow Road, Suite 103, Menlo Park, CA 94025 • (650) 328-2228