Specialty gas recovery membranesProduct overviewMembrane modules for helium recovery separate and enrich helium from helium-bearing natural gas and other helium-containing streams by exploiting permeation-rate differences between helium and heavier components. Modules deliver a helium-enriched permeate as a pre-concentration step for downstream purification. A membrane module alone does not guarantee final high-purity helium; additional stages or polishing units are often required depending on feed and product targets.
Separation principleDriven by partial-pressure differences, helium typically permeates faster than methane and nitrogen in suitable membrane materials, resulting in an enriched permeate stream. If the feed contains faster-permeating gases such as hydrogen or CO2, further separation or purification may be needed. Accurate feed analysis is essential for reliable process design.
Typical applications- Helium-bearing natural gas Separate and concentrate helium from natural-gas streams to provide a helium-enriched feed for downstream treatment.
- Natural gas processing Integrate membrane stages into natural-gas processing to recover helium or adjust helium content in product gas.
- Helium pre-concentration Increase helium concentration ahead of cryogenic or adsorption-based purification units.
- Helium-enriched stream preparation Produce an enriched permeate stream for subsequent compression, cryogenic processing or adsorption polishing without assuming final purity.
Models & specifications
MNH-1512A — L 359 mm | OD 55 mm | ID 50 mm | Feed 3/8" | Retentate 3/8" | Permeate 1/4" | Weight 0.9 kg
MNH-2022A — L 589 mm | OD 70 mm | ID 60 mm | Feed 3/8" | Retentate 3/8" | Permeate 3/8" | Weight 1.9 kg
MNH-3032A — L 856 mm | OD 110 mm | ID 85 mm | Feed 1/2" | Retentate 1/2" | Permeate 1/2" | Weight 6.0 kg
MNH-4160A — L 1564 mm | OD 160 mm | ID 125 mm | Feed 1" | Retentate 1" | Permeate 1" | Weight 19 kg
MNH-6160A — L 1580 mm | OD 200 mm | ID 157.5 mm | Feed 1.5" | Retentate 1.5" | Permeate 1.5" | Weight 26 kg
MNH-8140A — L 1080 mm | OD 280 mm | ID 220 mm | Feed 1.5" | Retentate 1.5" | Permeate 2" | Weight 44 kg
MNH-8160A — L 1580 mm | OD 280 mm | ID 220 mm | Feed 1.5" | Retentate 1.5" | Permeate 2" | Weight 55 kg
Process considerations- Feed helium content and coexisting components (methane, nitrogen, CO2, H2, etc.) determine separation performance and downstream needs.
- Operating conditions (flow, inlet pressure, temperature) and presence of condensables, droplets or particles require appropriate pretreatment.
- Evaluate product concentration and recovery targets together with energy use, membrane stage count, recycle strategy and downstream purification methods.
Information required- Complete feed composition with helium content and variation range
- Feed flow rate, inlet pressure and temperature
- Target helium-enriched stream composition and planned downstream purification
- Allowed helium losses or required recovery rate
Technical specifications- Function: Separation and enrichment of helium from helium-bearing natural gas and other helium-containing streams.
- Separation mechanism: Permeation driven by partial-pressure differences; helium typically permeates faster than methane and nitrogen.
- Product role: Provides a helium-enriched permeate as a pre-concentration step; not a standalone high-purity helium plant.
- Potential downstream requirements: Multiple membrane stages, compression, recycle, cryogenic processing or adsorption polishing depending on feed and product targets.
- Key design considerations: Feed composition, flow rate, inlet pressure and temperature, presence of condensables/droplets/particles, energy use, stage count, recycle strategy and downstream purification method.