Thermally Stable Nitrogen-Absorbents

40274 November 6, 1996 Bend Research, Inc. This project will develop a new class of nitrogen (N2)-binding absorbents for removal of N2 from natural gas. These absorbents could be employed in an economical process for treating the large fraction of domestic natural-gas reserves that are contaminated with nitrogen and are therefore unusable. However, the absorbents developed to date lack long-term stability under steam-stripping conditions. Therefore, low temperature stripping processes will be required. In this project, a new class of absorbents will be prepared and evaluated that will be sufficiently stable under steam-stripping conditions and that retain the favorable N2-binding properties of the current absorbents. In Phase II, a bench-scale test will be conducted and the process will be field tested by a number of end users. Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awardee: If the target performance of these absorbents is reached, this technology should be used to treat a large fraction of the N2-contaminated natural gas in the U.S. In addition, the same type of absorbents may be used to bind hydrogen in oil-refining. chemical-processing. and fuel-cell applications.