Patent ID: 7470359
Filing Date: 2008-12-30
Classification: C10L

Abstract:
1. Method for processing a natural gas in which the following steps are carried out: a) the natural gas is mixed with antihydrate compounds, b) the mixture is cooled so as to obtain a gas phase containing methane and ethane, a first liquid phase containing hydrocarbons and antihydrate compounds, and a second liquid phase containing water and antihydrate compounds, c) the gas phase, the first liquid phase, and the second liquid phase are separated, d) at least a portion of the first liquid phase is brought into contact with a non-aqueous ionic liquid so that the ionic liquid is charged with antihydrate compounds and at least the portion of the first liquid phase is impoverished of antihydrate compounds, the ionic liquid having the general formula Q e) at least the portion of the first liquid phase impoverished of antihydrate compounds and the ionic liquid charged with antihydrate compounds are separated, and f) the ionic liquid charged with antihydrate compounds is regenerated to separate the antihydrate compounds and recover an ionic liquid impoverished of antihydrate compounds.