Introduction to Natural Gas

Processing
PGG 318
300-level Petroleum Engineering
University of Lagos (UNILAG)

Presented by Dr Chukwu Emeke

Course outline

• Module 1: Introduction to Natural Gas

• Module 2: Natural Gas Processing
Fundamentals
• Module 3: Sweetening and Purification
• Module 4: Dehydration and Hydrocarbon
Recovery
• Module 5: Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
Processing
• Module 6: Gas Compression and
Transportation
• Module 7: Environmental, Economic, and
Regulatory Considerations
Course Objectives

Be By the end of this course, students will be able to:

Describe Describe the properties and composition of natural gas.

Understand Understand the unit operations and processes in natural gas processing.

Analyse Analyse natural gas purification methods.

Apply Apply engineering principles to the design and operation of natural gas processing facilities.

Discuss Discuss the economic, environmental, and regulatory aspects of natural gas processing in Nigeria.
What is Natural
Gas?
Natural gas is a fossil fuel that is a
colorless, odorless, flammable
gas mixture of hydrocarbons.
Natural Gas Properties

Key Properties of Natural Gas Importance of understanding for

transportation and storage
Colorless, odorless, tasteless gas
Flammable mixture of hydrocarbons
Main component: Methane (CH₄)
Density: lighter than air
Low boiling point, around -162°C
High energy content per volume
Non-corrosive but can contain impurities (CO₂, H₂S)
Natural Gas Composition
and Phase Behavior

•Typical Composition of Natural Gas

•Methane (CH₄): 70-90%
•Ethane (C₂H₆), Propane (C₃H₈), Butane
(C₄H₁₀): Small percentages
•Non-hydrocarbons: CO₂, H₂S, Nitrogen (N₂),
Helium, Water vapor
•Phase Behavior
•Gaseous phase at surface conditions
•Changes with temperature and pressure
•Critical point:
•the boundary between liquid and gas phases
•Importance for processing and storage
Introduction to Natural Gas Processing Techniques

Overview of Processing Why Process Natural Gas?

Techniques
Separation of impurities (H₂S, CO₂) To meet market specifications
Liquefaction and compression for transport To prevent corrosion and hydrate formation
Dehydration to remove water To increase the energy value of gas
NGL recovery for valuable by-products
Sweetening to remove acid gases
Natural Gas and Liquid Separation

• Separation Process Overview

• Gas-liquid separators: remove
liquid hydrocarbons (NGLs, water)
from gas
• Two-phase (gas-liquid) separators
and three-phase (gas-oil-water)
separators
• Methods of Separation
• Gravity separation (due to density
differences)
• Cyclonic separation for entrained
droplets
• Mechanical separators like
centrifugal separators
Natural Gas Dehydration

Importance of Dehydration

• Removal of water vapor to prevent hydrate formation and corrosion

• Hydrates: Ice-like solids that form in pipelines under low temperature and high
pressure

Dehydration Techniques

• Glycol dehydration: use of triethylene glycol (TEG)

• Solid desiccants: silica gel, molecular sieves
• Adsorption-based systems
• Chilled water method: low temperature to condense water
Natural Gas Sweetening

Purpose of Sweetening Sweetening Techniques

• Removal of acid gases: • Amine gas treating:

primarily H₂S (hydrogen absorption using amine
sulfide) and CO₂ (carbon solutions (e.g., MEA, DEA)
dioxide) • Physical absorption: using
• H₂S: Toxic and corrosive to solvents like Selexol
pipelines and equipment • Membrane separation:
• CO₂: Reduces heating value selective permeation for acid
and causes pipeline corrosion gases
 Overview of LNG LNG Process
Liquefied Natural Gas
• Natural gas • Liquefaction:
cooled to -162°C cooling natural
to form a liquid gas using
• Reduction in cascade
volume: 600 refrigeration
times smaller • Storage:
volume than Cryogenic tanks
gaseous state • Transportation:
• Storage and Specially
(LNG)

Transport: More designed LNG

efficient for long- carriers
distance shipping
Compressed Natural • Natural gas stored at high pressure
(about 200-250 bar) in cylindrical tanks
• Alternative fuel: used in vehicles (CNG
What is CNG? cars, buses, trucks)
• Advantages: Cleaner emissions, lower
cost compared to gasoline/diesel
Gas (CNG)

• Gas is compressed at stations and

stored for distribution
Compression • CNG is not liquefied, making it easier
to store and transport compared to
Process LNG
• Usage in domestic heating and power
generation
Synthetic Natural Gas
• Conversion of natural gas into liquid
Gas to Liquid (GTL) &
Gas to hydrocarbons (such as synthetic diesel,
kerosene, and naphtha)
Liquid • Fischer-Tropsch synthesis: primary
method used
(GTL) • Key advantage: can be used in
conventional refineries

Synthetic • Produced from coal or biomass through

gasification or other methods
Natural
(SNG)

• Chemically similar to natural gas

Gas • Can be used in the same applications
as natural gas, such as power
(SNG) generation and heating
 • Types of Compressors:
• Centrifugal compressors: Common for large volumes of
gas

Gas • Reciprocating compressors: Suitable for small-scale,

high-pressure applications

Compression • Compression Process:

• Gas is pressurized at compression stations

and • After compression, gas is transported through pipelines or

by trucks in CNG form

Transportation • Gas Transportation Methods:

• Pipelines:
• Most common and cost-effective method for land
transportation
• High-capacity, long-distance systems
• Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG):
• Gas is cooled and shipped in specialized LNG carriers for
international transport
• Compressed Natural Gas (CNG):
• Transported in pressurized cylinders for local distribution,
e.g., in vehicles or via CNG stations
Environmental,
• Environmental Considerations
• Methane Emissions:
• Methane is a potent greenhouse gas and a major environmental

Economic, and concern

• Importance of leak detection and repair programs in

Regulatory
processing and transportation systems
• Water Usage:
• Dehydration and sweetening processes can use significant

Challenges •
amounts of water
Treatment of process water and minimizing wastewater
discharge are key
• Air Emissions:
• Combustion in flaring, compressors, and turbines may produce
NOx, CO₂, and other pollutants
• Hydrocarbon Spills:
• Accidental spills or leaks in processing or transportation can
lead to environmental damage
• Impact of LNG Plants:
• Cryogenic temperatures pose risks, but modern technologies
minimize impact
 Capital and Operating Costs:
• High initial capital investment for infrastructure (pipelines,
liquefaction plants, etc.)
• Operating costs for maintaining processing and
compression systems

Economic Market Prices:

Considerations • Price fluctuations in the global energy market affect
profitability
• Natural gas is often more economical than other fossil
fuels, depending on region and processing methods

Energy Security:
• Natural gas provides a stable, affordable energy source for
electricity and industrial sectors
• Dependence on natural gas resources can drive regional
economic development
 Regulatory bodies, such as
the Nigeria Upstream
petroleum Regulatory
Government Commission (NUPRC) in
Nigeria, oversee
Regulations: exploration, while the
NMDPRA oversees the
processing, and
transportation.

Compliance with
emissions and
Environmental environmental protection
laws, e.g., the
Standards: Environmental Protection

Regulatory Agency (EPA) standards in

the U.S.

Considerations
Regulations governing
pipeline safety, gas
leakage, and public health
Safety Standards: Requirements for pressure
testing, inspection, and
maintenance

Adherence to ISO, API, and

ANSI standards in gas
International processing and
transportation systems
Standards: Specific regulatory
frameworks for LNG
shipping and storage
Q&A