Gas separation: processes – Solid sorption – Inorganic gas or liquid particle sorbed
Reexamination Certificate
2002-08-26
2004-05-25
Lawrence, Frank M. (Department: 1724)
Gas separation: processes
Solid sorption
Inorganic gas or liquid particle sorbed
C095S139000, C585S820000, C166S267000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06740141
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for removing H
2
S and CO
2
from crude and gas streams.
A long standing problem in the oil and gas industry is the presence of H
2
S or hydrogen sulfide gas in hydrocarbons. H
2
S must frequently be removed before a hydrocarbon can be further processed and/or used as a commercial product.
Another routinely encountered contaminant is CO
2
, which frequently must be removed as well.
Various surface scrubbing methods and H
2
S or CO
2
removal devices and methods are known, but the need remains for a simple and efficient method for removal of contaminants in a downhole environment as well as at the surface.
It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide a method for removing H
2
S and/or CO
2
from hydrocarbon gas and crude streams.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for removal of H
2
S which is simple and economic in use, and friendly to the environment.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear hereinbelow.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing objects and advantages have been readily attained.
According to the invention, a method is provided for removing at least one contaminant selected from the group consisting of H
2
S and CO
2
from hydrocarbon streams, which method comprises the steps of providing a stream of hydrocarbon containing said at least one contaminant; and positioning metal-containing nanoparticles in said stream, said metal-containing nanoparticles being selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal hydroxides and combinations thereof, whereby said nanoparticles adsorb said at least one contaminant from said stream.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hydrocarbon stream to be treated is a downhole stream established from a hydrocarbon producing subterranean formation to a hydrocarbon producing well, and the nanoparticles are positioned in fractures induced into the formation in the form of propants and/or additives to propants, whereby the hydrocarbon stream produced through the fractures is exposed to the nanoparticles and H
2
S and/or CO
2
are adsorbed downhole.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the contaminant-adsorptive nanoparticles of the present invention can be utilized at surface locations as well, for example in packing filters and the like, so as to advantageously adsorb H
2
S and CO
2
contaminants from hydrocarbon streams.
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Araujo Mariela
Decker Shawn
Espin Douglas
Klabunde Kenneth
Ranson Aaron
Bachman & LaPointe P.C.
Intevep S.A.
Lawrence Frank M.
LandOfFree
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