Patent ID: 9630141
Date: 2017-04-25
CPC Classifications: B01D,C10L,Y02C

Claim:
1. A membrane element for treating a natural gas stream having an amount of acid gas content, the membrane element comprising: a perforated non-permeate pipe having a central longitudinal axis; and a first cylindrical-shaped zone having a height spanning the membrane element top-to-bottom and a first bundle depth arranged coaxial to the central longitudinal axis of the perforated non-permeate pipe, the first cylindrical-shaped zone defined by a plurality of first hollow fibers, the plurality of first hollow fibers fabricated to provide, for a first composition and volume of the natural gas stream, a selected first acid gas selectivity and permeability performance throughout the first cylindrical-shaped zone and arranged so a first acid-gas permeate exits the top and the bottom of the membrane element; a second cylindrical-shaped zone having a height spanning the membrane element top-to-bottom and a second bundle depth arranged coaxial to the central longitudinal axis of the perforated non-permeate pipe, the second cylindrical-shaped zone defined by a plurality of second hollow fibers, the plurality of second hollow fibers fabricated to provide, for a second, different composition and volume of the natural gas stream, a selected second, different acid-gas selectivity and permeability performance throughout the second cylindrical-shaped zone and arranged so a second acid-gas permeate having a different composition than the first acid-gas permeate exits the top and the bottom of the membrane element and mixes, respectively, with the first acid-gas permeate that exited the first cylindrical-shaped zone at the top and the bottom of the membrane; said selected first and second, different selectivity and permeability performances selected to provide the natural gas stream in a single stage of processing having a reduced amount of the acid-gas content, the second cylindrical-shaped zone surrounding the perforated non-permeate pipe, the first cylindrical-shaped zone surrounding the second cylindrical-shaped zone.