000-Natural gas processing.pdf

Natural Gas Processing
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Koya University Faculty of Engineering
Chemical Engineering Department
Third Stage
Petroleum and Gas technology
2023-2024
Prepared by: Supervisor:
Ara Fakher Mr. Rebwar Abdulrahman
Area Dldar
Dima jawhar
Report Date: Oct./27/2023 Submission Date: Oct./31/2023

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Table of Contents
Abstract............................................................................................................................................................. 3
Introduction...................................................................................................................................................... 4
Methodology..................................................................................................................................................... 5
Natural as Gas Refining and Separation..................................................................................................... 6
Natural Gas Sweetening............................................................................................................................... 7
Natural Gas Dehydration............................................................................................................................. 8
Natural Gas Compression ............................................................................................................................ 8
Discussion: ..................................................................................................................................................... 10
Conclusion and results:.................................................................................................................................. 11
References:..................................................................................................................................................... 12

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Abstract
A natural gas processing plant separates impurities, nonmethane hydrocarbons, and fluids to produce
high-quality pipeline-quality dry natural gas, extracted from underground.
Natural gas processing produces valuable byproducts like natural gas liquids (NGLs). The process
involves four key steps: oil and condensate removal, water removal, separation of NGLs, and sulfur
and carbon dioxide removal. The primary procedures include planning, extraction, separation,
removal, and storage.
Natural gas sweetening removes CO2 and H2S from natural gas. It involves an amine scrubbing
procedure, ensuring H2S and CO2 concentrations are below tariff limits. offers reliable solutions for
natural gas sweetening applications.
Water is present in natural gas, either in liquid or vapor form. Safe gas processing requires reducing
and controlling its water content.
.

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Introduction
A natural gas processing plant is a facility designed to provide clean raw natural gas by separating
impurities, various nonmethane hydrocarbons and fluids to get high quality natural gas, what is known
as pipeline-quality dry natural gas. (Speight, J. G.,2019)
Natural gas (or fossil gas) is hiding beneath the surface and extracted both from under the ocean and
land. As shown in Figure 1. (Energy Insight, 2023)
Figure 1: Schematic geology of natural gas resources. (Energy Insight, 2023)
natural gas It typically includes heavier hydrocarbons like ethane, propane, normal butane, isobutane,
etc. in addition to a significant amount of methane. Additionally, it frequently has a significant
proportion of nonhydrocarbons in its raw form, including carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and
nitrogen. Such substances as helium, carbonyl sulfide, and other forms of mercaptan are present in
tiny quantities. In generally, it is also saturated with water. Some examples of the analysis of different
types of gas are provided in Table 1.
Table 1: Typical Raw Gas Composition. (Mohammed Hamzah Msaed,2021)

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Methodology
Natural gas processing yields associated hydrocarbons, sometimes referred to as "natural gas liquids"
(NGLs), which can be extremely valuable byproducts. Natural gasoline, propane, butane, isobutane,
and ethane are examples of NGLs. These (NGLs) can be purchased individually and are used for a
number of purposes, such as improving oil recovery in oil wells, supplying raw materials to
petrochemical or oil refineries, and serving as energy sources.
Although the actual process of processing natural gas to pipeline dry gas quality standards might be
highly complicated, there are typically four key steps involved in order to eliminate the different
impurities: (U.S. Department of Transportation, 2017)
• Oil and Condensate Removal
• Water Removal
• Separation of Natural Gas Liquids
• Sulfur and Carbon Dioxide Removal
While there are several procedures involved in the processing of natural gas, separation, dehydration,
removal of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, and NGL recovery are the primary ones. The process
of processing natural gas begins with the extraction of oil, water, and condensates from the gas well.
(Cameron p. Croft, 2020)
There are four types of natural gas extractions:
• Vertical drilling
• Horizontal drilling
• Hydraulic Fracturing / Fracking
• Acidizing
The steps of natural gas Processing:
• planning & Extraction
• separation (from oil)
• removals: water, sulfur, and carbon dioxide removal
• separation of natural gas liquids
• odorant phase: natural gas is odorless; thus, it is dangerous. Giving natural gas an odor has
safety reasons.
• compression station
• storage
• transportation

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Natural as Gas Refining and Separation
Upon reaching the surface, reservoir fluids typically consist of a blend of water, oil, and gas (see Figure
2). The first stage of surface production, separation, divides these three fluids. (Stewart, M. and
Arnold, K., 2008)
Figure 2: Typical reservoir fluids found in a well.
Following the initial separation, each stream is processed differently, as seen in Figure 3. Upon
treatment to a marketable quality, the oil and gas must be measured with extreme precision in order to
transfer custody. Particularly when production originates from high-pressure wells, separation is
frequently carried out in two or three stages of lowering pressure. (Stewart, M. and Arnold, K., 2008)
Figure 3: Major areas of activity in the production of hydrocarbons.

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Natural Gas Sweetening
The process of removing carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from natural gas is known
as natural gas sweetening. Both H2S and CO2 can lead to stress cracking in pipelines and encourage
corrosion by forming acids in the presence of water.
H2S and CO2 are reduced or eliminated in a contactor utilizing an amine scrubbing procedure to
sweeten the natural gas. Higher H2S content natural gas passes through a contactor, where sulfur
compounds are removed from the gas by the amine solution. Low amounts of H2S-containing "sweet"
natural gas are released from the contactor.
Both at the amine contactor's inlet and outlet, precise measurement of the H2S and CO2 concentrations
is required for the sweetening process. Prior to the natural gas being transported in a pipeline, these
measurements make sure both impurities are below the tariff or contract limit and maximize the
sweetening procedures. Figure 4 displays the process flow diagram for sweetening natural gas.
Figure 4: Process flow diagram for natural gas sweetening by absorption using potassium carbonate solvent.
(Ahmed Mahmoud, 2020)
We offer a variety of dependable, precise solutions for applications involving natural gas sweetening.
These offer low-level, interference-free, fast response H2S detection without the need for a scrubber
to pick up low H2S or CO2 concentrations. We also provide the option to measure methyl mercaptan,
carbonyl sulfide, and H2S with a single analyzer. (Ametek, 2023)

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Natural Gas Dehydration
Water is typically present in natural, associated, or tail gas at the source in liquid or vapor form. or as
a byproduct of sweetening with an aqueous solution, either in liquid or vapor form. Safe processing
and transmission of gas require reducing and controlling its water content.
Near wellheads and at key points along gathering and trunk lines, pipeline drips will remove the
majority of free water lifted from the wells in the gas stream.
By reducing the gas's dew point temperature—the point at which water vapor will condense from the
gas—the natural gas is "dehydrated" as a result of this treatment. Natural gas can be dehydrated in
several of ways. The most typical ones are as follows:
• liquid desiccant (glycol) dehydration,
• solid desiccant dehydration,
• cooling the gas.
To dry gas to a certain water content, any of these techniques can be applied. The dehydration method
to be used is typically determined by a combination of the water content specification, initial water
content, process character, operational nature, and economic factors. Nonetheless, glycol and solid
desiccants are typically the options when selecting a dehydration technique.
Figure 5: TEG absorption dehydration scheme (Mokhatab and Poe, 2012)
Natural Gas Compression
In order to transport natural gas from individual producing well sites to end users, compressor stations
are a crucial component of the natural gas pipeline network.
Distance, friction, and variations in altitude cause natural gas to travel more slowly through pipelines
while also lowering pressure. In order to help maintain the pressure and flow of gas to market,

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compressor stations are positioned strategically throughout the network of gathering and transportation
pipelines.
The process entails raising the pressure of natural gas so that it can be transported for consumer use
through pipelines and other transportation networks.
Compressor stations, often found near pipeline routes, or natural gas processing facilities are the usual
locations for natural gas compression. Before natural gas enters the pipeline system, it is boosted in
pressure at these facilities using sizable motors and compressors. The gas is kept flowing through the
pipelines and is guaranteed to arrive at its destination safely and effectively thanks to the increased
pressure.
Figure 6. A separator filters out liquids, solids, and other particulate matter that may be in the gas stream. Photo
courtesy of the National Fuel Gas Midstream Corporation. (Penn State Extension, 2015)
Figure 7: Natural Gas Industry (energy information administration, DOE , 2010)

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Discussion:
1. What is the first step in processing Natural gas reservoir?
a. The first step is separation, which divides the reservoir natural gas into water, oil, and
gas.
2. What is natural gas sweetening?
a. Natural gas sweetening is the process whereby [hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and carbon
dioxide (CO2)] are removed from the natural gas. Both [H2S and CO2] promote
corrosion through the formation of acids in the presence of water and can cause stress
cracking in the pipelines.
3. What are the methods for dehydrating natural gas commonly used?
a. The most typical ways for natural gas dehydration are (liquid desiccant (glycol)
dehydration and solid desiccant dehydration). These techniques are based on factors
like water content requirements, initial water content, and economic considerations.
4. Explain briefly the procces of natural gas compression?
a. The oil and gas industry uses two main types of compressors: reciprocating and
screw. A natural gas reciprocating compressor uses pistons and positive displacement
to compress the gas. Gas enters the manifold, flows into the compression cylinder,
then discharges at a higher pressure.

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Conclusion and results:
Natural gases are important due to their high request and use in reducing greenhouse emission due to
its clean burning and extremely high efficient source of energy with a lower cost than other sources.
Although the process might be a bit complicated but the byproducts of natural gases are useful such
as NGLs. the steps of processing natural gas can be:
• Oil and Condensate Removal
• Water Removal
• Separation of Natural Gas Liquids
• Sulfur and Carbon Dioxide Removal
As soon as it reaches the surface it’s a blend of gases oil and water which will be separated before
any other process start.
The next process would be the sweetening or the removal of acid gases mainly H2S and CO2 by amine
scrubbing other wise it can cause great damage to the pipe line and the budget.
water exist in nature making it mix with natural gas it as a result the sweetening process. Pipe line drip
help to eliminate the majority of water content. Natural gas can be dehydrated in several of ways. The
most typical ones are as follows:
• liquid desiccant (glycol) dehydration,
• solid desiccant dehydration,
• cooling the gas.
Any of the three way above can be used based on many factors considering the budget, the process
and the amount of water content.

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References:
1. Speight, J. G. (2019). Recovery, storage, and transportation. Natural Gas, 149–186. Available at:
https://sci-hub.se/https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-809570-6.00005-9 [accessed: Oct./25/2023]
2. Mohammed Hamzah Msaed (2021). Natural Gas Processing, P3. Available at:
https://engineering.uodiyala.edu.iq/uploads/Departments2021/Chimecal%20Engineering/lect_2021/4/Nat
ural%20Gas%20Processing%20-%20Mohammed%20Hamzah%20Msaed.pdf [accessed: Oct./25/2023]
3. U.S. Department of Transportation (2017). Fact Sheet: Natural Gas Processing Plants.[online] Available
at:
https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/comm/factsheets/fsnaturalgasprocessingplants.htm#:~:text=Associated%20h
ydrocarbons%2C%20known%20as%20'natural,%2C%20isobutane%2C%20and%20natural%20gasoline.
[accessed: Oct./25/2023]
4. Cameron p. Croft (2020). How Do You Process Natural Gas? Why Do We Process Natural Gas and
How? [online] Available at: https://www.croftsystems.net/oil-gas-blog/how-do-you-
processnaturalgas/#:~:text=Although%20natural%20gas%20processing%20has,oil%2C%20water%2C%2
0and%20condensates. [Accessed: Oct./25/2023]
5. energy insight (2023). Natural gas processing has many stages: extraction, removals, separation,
liquifying. The natural gas used in households is different in many ways from the extracted, raw natural
gas. [online] Available at: https://group.met.com/en/media/energy-
insight/naturalgasprocessing#:~:text=Natural%20gas%20processing%20has%20many,the%20extracted%
2C%20raw%20natural%20gas. [Accessed: Oct./25/2023]
6. Stewart, M. and Arnold, K., 2008. Gas-liquid and Liquid-liquid Separators. Gulf Professional
Publishing.p41-p43. Available at: file:///C:/Users/Kakon%20Soft/Downloads/Gas-Liquid-Liquid-Liquid-
Separators-Maurice-Stewart.pdf [Accessed: Oct./25/2023]
7. AMETEK (2023). Sweetening natural gas. [online] available at:
https://www.google.com/search?q=natural+gas+procces+natural+gas+sweetening&oq=natural+gas+proc
ces+natural+gas+sweetening&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQIRgKGKABMgkIAhAh
GAoYoAEyCQgDECEYChigAdIBCTE0MTA4ajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
[Accessed: Oct./25/2023]
8. Ahmed Mahmoud (2020). Process flow diagram for natural gas sweetening by absorption using
potassium carbonate solvent. [online image]. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Process-
flow-diagram-for-natural-gas-sweetening-by-absorption-using-potassium-carbonate_fig1_341087000
[Accessed: Oct./25/2023]
9. Mokhatab, S. and Poe, W.A. (2012). Chapter 9 - Natural Gas Dehydration. [online] ScienceDirect.
Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123869142000091) [Accessed 26
Oct. 2023].
10. Aisyah, R. (2018). Several Natural Gas Dehydration Methods and Range of Application. [online]
Chemical Engineering Portal. Available at:
https://missrifka.com/gas-processing-plant/several-natural-gas-dehydration-methods-and-range-of-
application.html [Accessed 26 Oct. 2023].
11. Archrock. (n.d.). What is Natural Gas Compression? [online] Available at:
https://www.archrock.com/what-is-natural-gas-
compression/#:~:text=Natural%20gas%20compression%20is%20an [Accessed 26 Oct. 2023].
12. Penn State Extension (2015). Understanding Natural Gas Compressor Stations. [online] Penn State
Extension. Available at: https://extension.psu.edu/understanding-natural-gas-compressor-stations.
13. Wanazelee W. Bakar, Rusmidah Ali (2010). Natural gas industry. Image (source: Energy Information
Administration, DOE). [online images] available at: Natural gas industry. Image (source: Energy Information
Administration,... | Download Scientific Diagram (researchgate.net) [ accessed: Oct./27/2023]

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