Process for the wellbore separation of CO2 from hydrocarbon gas

摘要

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is separated from natural gas in a downhole environment. An asymmetric hollow-carbon fiber membrane is positioned in a production string within a wellhole through which a CO2-containing natural gas is being conducted. The carbon fiber comprises a partial carbonization product of a hollow filament including an aromatic imide polymer material. The carbon membrane is at least 90 weight percent carbon, and has a dense fiber layer located in the outside surface portion of the membrane and a porous base fiber layer contiguous with the dense layer and located in the inside portion of the membrane. The natural gas is passed through the membrane at a pressure of at least about 200 psia.