COMBINED MEMBRANE AND PRESSURE SWING ADSORPTION METHOD FOR RECOVERY OF HELIUM

摘要

The invention relates to a method for production of helium from a process gas, wherein at least the following steps are performed: supplying a process gas containing helium with a pressure of less than 15 bar to a first membrane separation stage (2), comprising a first membrane (4) which is more easily permeable for helium than for at least one further component contained in the process gas; guiding a first retentate stream to a second membrane separation stage (3), comprising a second membrane (5) which is more easily permeable for helium than for at least one further component contained in the process gas; separating helium from a first permeate stream containing helium by means of pressure swing adsorption, generating a product stream containing helium; and recirculating a second permeate stream containing helium to the first membrane separation stage (2) and recirculation of a purging gas of the pressure swing adsorption to the first membrane separation stage (2).