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The increasing demand for natural gas and rising prices have motivated investigations into new areas. There are new challenges in maintaining pipeline integrity and safety due to this very shift, especially regarding higher heating value (HHV) gas and hydrocarbon liquid fallout.
Natural gas appears in various forms and compositions; associated gas, non-associated gas, and gas condensate are a few examples. The primary elements of natural gas include methane and ethane, along with heavier hydrocarbons like propane, butanes, and pentanes. These components can vary widely depending on the source field and reservoir characteristics.
Composition of Raw Natural Gas
Typical raw gas compositions show considerable variation, with methane content ranging from around50% to 95%, and significant amounts of ethane, propane, and other heavier hydrocarbons. For instance, casinghead gas contains about ~60% methane and nearly 12% ethane, while Gas well gas is richer in methane (over 90%) but contains less ethane and propane. These variations present difficulties in the processing and transportation of natural gas.
To ensure the purity of natural gas, impurities such as solids, free liquids, CO2, H2S, and water vapor must be removed. Traditionally, gas has gone through processing in order to separate heavier hydrocarbons to make it suitable for transmission through pipelines. . Nonetheless, pipeline operators will have to face substantial challenges when insufficiently treated gas enters the commerce. Pipelines have to be fitted with the proper technology and safety precautions to detect the quality of the gas transmitting through them. .
Pipeline Quality Standards
Pipelines adhere to specific quality standards. The minimum methane content is typically set at >75%, with limits on other hydrocarbons and impurities such as ethane, propane, butanes, pentanes, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and other sulfur compounds. The heating value is controlled to fall between 950 and 1150 Btu per cubic foot.
Addressing the Challenges
Pipeline operators are responding to such issues with tighter tariff requirements and enforcing them through acquisition of new technology. Nevertheless, the emphasis is on more advanced techniques, including dew point control measures. The dew point is the temperature and pressure at which some components will condense from vapor to liquid. By closely observing and monitoring dew points and ambient conditions, pipeline operators can enhance their control over liquid fallout through more accurate predictions.
CEIRS™: A Leap Forward in Dew Point Detection
ZEGAZ Instruments has developed CEIRS™ technology, which combines IR spectroscopy with the chilled-mirror method. This integration represents a major breakthrough in dew point measurement. This approach improves the accuracy and reliability of dew point detection, helping pipeline operators predict and reduce the risks of hydrocarbon liquid and moisture fallout. ZEGAZ's CEIRS™ technology is an essential instrument for preserving pipeline integrity, which guarantees the safe and optimal transportation of gas.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the dynamic nature of natural gas supply, necessitates advanced approaches to ensure pipeline integrity and safety. Dew point control and other predictive measures help mitigate the risks associated with higher heating value gas and hydrocarbon liquid fallout, safeguarding both the pipelines and their end users.
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