The new technology is more energy and
cost efficient at purifying natural gas
streams than current methods.
Image: iStockphoto
Curtin University of Technology’s Professor Robert Amin has developed a more efficient and cost-effective way of removing contaminants from natural gas streams.
His innovation is the winner of the 2009 Curtin Commercial Innovation Awards announced on 21 August 2009.
“Forty per cent of the world’s natural gas reserves are contaminated with hydrogen sulphide and/or carbon dioxide that must be removed before the gas can be used,” he said.
“With global demand for energy rapidly growing, the world’s energy companies are constantly seeking new and more efficient ways to extract the most from the limited reserves of hydrocarbons.
Professor Amin’s new process has the advantages of being energy efficient and requires lower infrastructure costs than alternative methods.
It also results in minimal loss of hydrocarbons in the separation process and is versatile enough to adapt to a wide range of gas compositions.
In addition, both hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide can be captured individually with 99 per cent purity and can be used in other processes or sequested.”
Curtin and Professor Amin are currently working with a number of commercial groups to establish a pilot plant to bring the technology to market.
Editor's Note: Original news release can be found here.
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