C01B23/0047

HELIUM RECOVERY FROM THE NATURAL GAS IN PETROCHEMICAL PLANTS
20250187919 · 2025-06-12 ·

The present invention provides systems and methods for simultaneously producing a high-purity helium gas product, a methanol-water liquid mixture, and a methane-rich fuel product from a hydrogen-rich feedstock gas containing helium by treating the hydrogen-rich feedstock gas containing helium and carbon dioxide in a reverse water gas shift unit (1500) to produce carbon monoxide, which is then treated in a methanol production unit (300) and a methanol absorption unit (400) to produce a methanol-aqueous solution and a methanol-free gas. The methanol-free gas is then treated in a methane production unit (500) to produce methane, which is then treated in a carbon dioxide recovery membrane unit (1100) and a cryogenic nitrogen rejection unit (600) to produce the methanol-water liquid mixture, the methane-rich fuel product, and a helium-rich gas. The helium-rich gas is then treated to produce the high-purity helium gas product.