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Nitrogen Rejection Unit (NRU) | The Linde Group

Nitrogen Rejection Unit (NRU)

The Nitrogen Rejection Unit enables reduction of
the nitrogen content in natural gas to under one
percent. This both reduces its transport volume
and increases its calorific value, thus meeting the
high requirements of industry and trade.

When hydrocarbons are first recovered, the typically high reservoir pressure
ensures that these substances naturally flow to the production wells and then gush
to the surface. With increasing exploitation, however, the pressure in the reservoir
drops. Procedures for remedying this involve artificially increasing the pressure in
the natural gas reservoirs. This can be done, for example, by injecting nitrogen (N 2)
into a gas pocket. The process can also be done with other inert gases: in the
USA, carbon dioxide (CO 2) from underground sources is also used as a costeffective variant.

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Depending on the geological conditions, some of the injected nitrogen can mix over
time with the natural gas during recovery. From a purely technical viewpoint, this is
not a problem natural gas contains a certain amount of N 2 anyway. However, if
the proportion of nitrogen exceeds a particular level, the natural gas is no longer
viable for industrial use. This can make it necessary to remove the nitrogen when
treating natural gas. Two benefits result from this: the transport volume is
decreased and the calorific or fuel value is increased.

Linde Technology

In order to store or transport natural gas in liquid form (LNG), the nitrogen content
should be below one percent. To separate the N 2 from the recovered gas stream,
so-called "Nitrogen Rejection Units" (NRUs) are used. These units cool the
nitrogen-rich gas until part of it liquefies. At temperatures between minus 140 and
minus 180 degrees Celsius, so-called fractionating columns separate almost all of
the nitrogen from the natural gas. This reduces the proportion of nitrogen to under
one percent.

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Important reference in the natural gas business

The separated natural gas stream can then be used, for example, as fuel for the
turbines that power the liquefaction process. The largest Australian oil and gas
company, Woodside, uses this nitrogen rejection solution at its Pluto and Xena
natural gas fields near Karratha, off the country's west coast. The natural nitrogen
content there is over six percent, so a Linde NRU was integrated when Woodside
planned its natural gas liquefaction plants. At the end of 2011, the plant
successfully went into operation.
Due to the world's growing demand for natural gas, it can be assumed that
increasing numbers of natural gas fields with high nitrogen content will be tapped
and that Linde technology for N 2 separation will become more important. This is
why Linde experts see the NRU in Australia as an important reference project in
the natural gas business. With the new plant, Linde is well positioned for future
orders in this promising market.

At a glance
Description

Nitrogen is often present in natural gas and reduces its purity and
quality.
Cryogenic processes can efficiently remove nitrogen

Scope

Design, plant construction and commissioning of NRUs

Treatment of pipeline gas in LNG plants or after Enhanced Oil / Gas
Recovery

Reference
project

Nitrogen extraction plant for Pluto LNG in Karratha, Australia for

Woodside Burrup Property, Ltd
Raw gas capacity of 78,000 Nm/h

Linde AG, Klosterhofstrasse 1, 80331 Munich, Germany

Phone +49.89.35757-01, Fax +49.89.35757-1075, Email: info@linde.com

More information
www.elixier.ae
www.woodside.com.au
Nitrogen Rejection