Dew Point Measurements in Natural Gas

Andy Benton
Technical Consultant

53rd Technical Seminar ABNT CB-09 Comite Brasileiro de Gases Combustives Natal RN Brazil 15th April 2010

Running order:
What is hydrocarbon and water dew point? Why is it important to control and measure dew point in natural gas? How 1. 2. 3. 4. can HC dew point be measured? Manual visual cooled-mirror dewpointmeter, Determination of Liqiud to Gas Ratio (PHLC), Equation of state method from GC analysis, Direct on-line measurement with Automatic, Optical Condensation Dewpointmeter.

Water dew point measurement principle

WHAT IS HYDROCARBON DEW POINT?

THEORECTICAL DEFINITION: ISO 14532:2005 (Natural gas Vocabulary) defines hydrocarbon dew point as The temperature above which no detectable condensation of hydrocarbons occurs at a specified pressure. WORKING DEFINITION: API Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards Chapter 14.1 Natural Gas Fluids Measurement: The temperature at which

hydrocarbon condensates first begin to form a visible deposit of droplets on a surface, when the gas is cooled at a constant pressure.

H2O Dew Point 8 7 6 Pressure 5 MPa 4 Water and HC liquids 3 preset in 2 gas 1 0 -40 -30 HC Dew Point HC liquids present in gas Wholly gaseous

Typical Phase Envelope for Northern Europe natural gas

Cricondentherm -20 -10 0 +10

Temperature, C

Water & Hydrocarbon Dew Point Reduction Plant

Water dew point reduction Hydrocarbon dew point reduction

Glycol Contactor

Seabed Pipeline Transmission Pipeline 7 to 10 MPa After extraction from the gas field, natural gas is processed to remove water and heavy hydrocarbon components, before transmission through the pipeline network. This diagram shows a typical plant for the removal of both excess moisture and heavy hydrocarbons

Mechanical Separator

P = 3 to 5 MPa

Low-Temperature Separator(LTS) Compressor

J.T. Valve Condensate (NGL)

Well Head 10-15MPa

Liquid HC (crude) and bulk water

Why is it Important to Control and Measure Hydrocarbon and Water Dew Point?

Commercial Issues
Hydrocarbon and water dew point are gas quality parameters specified in the sales contracts agreed between buyer and seller. Typical transmission gas specifications (EASEE-gas): Hydrocarbon dew point lower than 2 oC at 27

barg Water dew point lower than 8 oC at full pipeline pressure

EASEE-gas approved gas quality parameters and values

Parameter
WI d Total S H2S + COS (as S) RSH (as S) O2 CO2 H2O DP HC DP

Unit
kWh/m3 m3/m3 mg/m3 mg/m3 mg/m3 mol % mol %
oC oC

Min
[13.60] 0.555 -

Max
15.81 0.700 30 5 6 [0.01]* 2.5 -8 -2

Recommended implementation date

1/10/2010 1/10/2010 1/10/2006 1/10/2006 1/10/2006 1/10/2010 1/10/2006 1/10/2006Some exceptions 1/10/2006

at 70 bar (a) at 1 70 bar (a)

EASEE-gas: European Association for the Streamlining of Energy Exchange Objectives to harmonise business practices across the industry 80 cross border points across Europe

Technical Issues
Measurement of hydrocarbon and water dew point is important in order to: Prevent hydrates and condensates Solid crystalline and liquid formations that limit pipeline capacity and damage compressors and valves. Limit pipeline corrosion Excess water leads to leaks and fractures. Achieve Superheat requirements Fuel gas specifications for gas turbine power plant.

Hydrate formations

Compressor damage Liquid impact!

HC Dew Point Applications

Hydrocarbon Dew Point Reduction Processing

Natural Gas Dew Point Applications

Gas quality measurement at custody transfer

HC Dew Point Applications:

Trans- and Inter-Continental Supply Contracts Pipeline Interconnections
Market de-regulation Introduction of competitive practices in gas supply and retailing

European Interconnections

U.S. Natural Gas Pipeline Network, 2009

National Distribution of Natural Gas in Brazil

HC Dew Point Applications:

Gas Trading
Underground storage facilities to supply transient demand

HC Dew Point Applications:

Gas Turbine Electricity Generation
Avoid liquids in hot gas path Uneven flame temperature and length Avoid flashbacks Turbine manufacturers stipulate 20 to 30C of superheat for fuel gas to low NOx plant Dew-point measurement enables control of fuel gas heaters Potential return on investment through reduced parasitic load

How can Hydrocarbon Dew Point be Measured?

Hc Dew Point Measurement Methods

1. Manual Visual Dew Point Method Dew Scope 2. Determination of Liquid to Gas Ratio (PHLC) 3. Equation of State Method Using GC Composition Analysis 4. Automatic Optical Condensation Method

P
G a P s

1. Manual Visual Cooled-Mirror DewPoint Checker

Bureau of Mines, ASTM/API method

Images courtesy Ametek

Manual Visual Cooled-Mirror Dew-Point Checker

PROS
+ The traditional and widely used measurement technique + The de facto standard for hydrocarbon dew point measurement + Low capital investment Instrument costs $5,000 to $10,000
only Subjective, operator dependant measurement of variable sensitive and repeatability Labor intensive, therefore high running costs

CONS
Periodic spot checking

2. Determination of Liquid to Gas Ratio

Gas Outlet Pressure and flow controls

P
Gas Inlet

Cooling Coil Gas Temperature Controlled Bath Separator Liquid Collection

Drain

Determination of Liquid to Gas Ratio

PROS
+ A direct measurement method where contractual specifications stipulate a liquid to gas ratio (Potential Hydrocarbon Liquid Content to ISO 6570) + An absolute expression of the condensate formation potential of the gas at a certain temperature and pressure (grams/cubic metre of gas)

CONS
Impractical for field application and installation High cost ($100,000 plus) Not measuring Hc Dew Point, the parameter most commonly used to control this aspect of gas quality Averaging analysis technique leads to slow response to process changes

3. Equation of State Method Using GC Analysis

GCs provide Calorific Value (BTU) Custody transfer is based on BTU and thus there is a large installed base Field units are C6+ with a few C9+ Equations of State (EOS) can give a calculated HC dew point BUT sensitivity of analysis governs accuracy of results

Why?
Here is an illustration of how sensitivity of analysis directly effect calculated HcDP estimations.

ISO 23874 (2006) Natural Gas Gas Chromatographic requirements for hydrocarbon dew point calculation
be capable of measuring alkenes up to and including dodecane, be capable of measuring individual alkenes at a concentration of 0.000 000 1 (0.1 ppm) be capable of measuring individual alkenes at a concentration of 0.000 000 1 (0.1 ppm) measure all hydrocarbons in the range C5 to C12

EOS Method Using GC Analysis

PROS
+ Potential to combine a number of gas quality/fiscal metering parameters into one analyzer + The components contributing to a high dew point level may be identified and so help to determine the reason/source. + Possibility to provide a theoretical phase envelope curve -

CONS
Accuracy is dependant on correct use of specialized reference gases Indirect method of determining HcDP The limit of analysis sensitivity can produce large HcDP errors Trained staff required to maintain proper performance High initial and operating costs plus the analyzer house, and personnel costs.

4. Automatic, Optical Condensation Dewpointmeter

It is possible to automate the optical condensation measurement principle to give an on-line measurement of hydrocarbon dew point that is reproducible, free from operator bias and drift. In Michells case, this is achieved with Condumax II Hydrocarbon Dew-Point Analyser, that utilises a patented detection technique known as the Dark Spot Principle.

Cooled Mirror Principle of Operation

Sample gas Water Dew or Ice

AUTOMATIC, OPTICAL CONDENSATION DEWPOINTMETER

Main difficulties in making such a measurement: Natural gas condensate forms an invisible low surface tension film Fractional condensation

Liquid to Gas Ratio Curve

Where is the hydrocarbon dew point?

HcDP is a different image than a water dew point to a Chilled/Cooled Mirror

Surface Tension Water is very High

Hydrocarbons are very low

So optical detection surfaces are used?

Water dew point sensors are mirrors HcDP sensors should be rough When water condenses on the mirror by cooling it, the reflected light is diffused. HcDP actually forms a reflective surface

Shell Research
Li g ht So ur ce

Detection Principle Development Sequence

Dry

COOLED MIRROR

Shell Research
ce
D

So ur

o ct ete

ht

Li g

Detection Principle Development Sequence

H2O Wetted
Good sensitivity for water dewpoint

COOLED MIRROR

Shell Research
ce
D

So ur

o ct ete

ht

Li g

Detection Principle Development Sequence

HC Wetted
X Totally insensitive for HC dewpoint

COOLED MIRROR

Li g

ht

So ur

ce

Shell Research
Detection Principle Development Sequence

Dry

ETCHED SURFACE

Shell Research
ce
D

So ur

o ct ete

ht

Li g

Detection Principle Development Sequence

HC Wetted
X Poor sensitivity for HC dewpoint

ETCHED SURFACE

Shell Research
ht ig L So ce ur
Det ect or
Detection Principle Development Sequence

Dry ETCHED SURFACE WITH CONICAL DEPRESSION

Shell Research
i gh L So t rce u
Det ect or
Detection Principle Development Sequence

Excellent sensitivity for HC dew point

HC Wetted

ETCHED SURFACE WITH CONICAL DEPRESSION

Michell DARK SPOT detection technique

Dark Spot Detector Images

Dry Sensor

Dark Spot Detector Images 2

Some Condensate beginning to form

Dark Spot Detector Images 3

More Condensate forming This is the dew point image

Dark Spot Detector Images 4

Excess Condensate This image is below the dew point

Dark Spot Detector Images 5

Advanced Condensation This image is well below the dew point

Typical 10 minute measurement cycles

100.0

150.0

200.0

250.0

300.0

350.0

13:31:37 13:32:25 13:33:13 13:34:02 13:34:50 13:35:38 13:36:26 13:37:14 13:38:02 13:38:51 13:39:39 13:40:27 13:41:15 13:42:06
Time

13:42:54 13:43:42 13:44:31 13:45:21 13:46:09 13:46:57 13:47:46 13:48:34 13:49:24 13:50:13 13:51:01 13:51:49 13:52:38 13:53:26 13:54:14

-50.0

50.0

0.0

Detection Signal Change, mV

Optical Surface ('Mirror') Temperature, degrees F

CONDUMAX II HYDROCARBON DEW-POINT ANALYSER

Confronting the issues:
High Sensitivity - To better than 5 mg/m3 using DARK SPOT Technique Facility to produce an LGR plot Sensitivity Calibration routine

Decoupling the sample flow rate/cooling rate interrelationship - fixed volume sample analysis

CONDUMAX HYDROCARBON DEWPOINTMETER (circa 1985-2004)

CONDUMAX II Combined Hydrocarbon and Water Dew-Point Analyser

Automatic System Dark Spot HCDP measurement Ceramic Moisture Sensor (optional WDP) EEx d ATEX approval Verification routines, low maintenance

CONDUMAX II Hydrocarbon Dew-Point Analyser

Sampling System

Sensor Cell Assembly

Remote Interface

Main Unit

Sensor Cell exploded

Condumax II
Self-contained Measuring system 0.5 deg C HCDP accuracy Touch screen operation Modbus RTU communications 2 x 4-20 mA output Active X controls for plant integration

CONDUMAX II Measurement range capability

Depression Graph Condumax II Sensor Cells Pressure with natural gas at 27 barg.
70 60

Temperature, degree C

50 40 30 20 10 0 -10 -20 -30 -40 -50 -60 -70

1 2 3

-6.6 -21.7 -34.3 -49 -63

4 5

amb

Maximum cooling depression

CONDUMAX II Simplicity.
Condumax II - Installation made simple:
Wholly hazardous area installation No safe area requirement Direct installation in field locations No analyser house requirement 90-264Vac, 50/60Hz, 200 Watt, is the only utility requirement No cooling air or gas required Hermetically sealed Peltier cooler - No dry gas purge required

Typical Field Installation

Close to the sample tap Sample tap on top quadrant of pipe Heat-traced and insulated sample tubing Sun shade over instrument housing, or in-doors

AUTOMATIC HcDP ANALYZER

Pros Cons
+ Direct fundamental objective Significant initial investment but very low measurement with high sensitivity operating costs and repeatability + Stand alone operation Built-in verification routines
+ No special maintenance staff requirements or certified reference cylinder gases

+ Its like having your own skilled technician taking a API/ASTM Bureau of Mines reading every 10 minutes, 24/7.

Condumax II Water Dew Point

Water dew-point measurement Michell Ceramic Moisture Sensor Line pressure transducer Accuracy +/- 1C WDP 206 barg rated Sour gas compatible

Michell Ceramic Moisture Sensor

Porous Conductive Layer Hygroscopic Active Layer Conductive Layer

Ceramic Substrate

Michell Ceramic Moisture Sensor

50 45 Sensor Impedance, K ohms 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0
-100 -90 -80 -70 -60 -50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20

Dewpoint, deg. C

Condumax II
Industry proven sensor technology
Michell Ceramic Moisture Sensor Measurement range: 0.001 to 30,000 ppmV Calibrated: -100 to +20oC dew point. Response to -130 and up to +30oCdp Accuracy: +/-10% of moisture content reading 300 barg rated, immune to pressure shock Chemically inert, resilient to extreme sour gas (30% H2S)

Condumax II
Calibration Integrity
UKAS accredited calibration laboratory Certified calibration traceable to NPL (UK) and NIST (USA) Unique cost effective Michell

Calibration Exchange Service

available to all users globally

Thanks you for attending Any questions?

Pls contact ENGEZER www.engezer.com.br