Method and system for separating a component from a multi-component gas

摘要

A method and apparatus for separating a component from a multi-component feed gas stream has a flow conduit ( 14 ) having a semi-permeable section ( 15 ) that permeates the component to be separated from feed gas stream ( 12 ). A sweep gas is provided at a first velocity on the permeate sides of flow conduit ( 14 ) and the velocity of sweep gas ( 13 ) is accelerated so that the velocity of sweep gas ( 13 ) along at least a portion of the permeate side of flow conduit ( 14 ) is greater than the first velocity. The mixture of permeate and sweep gas ( 13 ) is then decelerated by diffuser ( 20 ), thereby recovering as pressure a portion of the energy of feed gas stream ( 12 ).