Apparatus and method for simultaneously treating different fluctuating gas streams at a methanation site - Patent Application 20070122997

Abstract

To provide a novel apparatus and a novel process that can achieve the treatment of fluctuating gas streams in a process in which both a product gas stream from a methanation reactor containing CH4 and H2, and a further gas stream containing CO2, need to be separated, with a very simple apparatus or a simple process. [Solution] A plant for separation of gas mixtures, comprising a second feed gas conduit, a membrane separation stage and a gas distributor, wherein the plant comprises a methanation reactor, a hydrogen source having a hydrogen conduit, and a gas source for a CO2-containing gas stream comprising a crude gas conduit; the upstream end of the first feed gas conduit is connected to the crude gas conduit of the gas source for the CO2-containing gas stream; the upstream end of the second feed gas conduit is connected to a product gas outlet of a methane-enriched product gas stream from the methanation reactor or a corresponding product gas outlet conduit from the methanation reactor; and the hydrogen gas inlet from the methanation reactor is connected to the hydrogen source by the hydrogen conduit.