Abstract:

Natural gas extracted from earth surface contains impurities such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S),
carbon dioxide (CO2), water and higher hydrocarbons. These impurities results in off-spec product.
Sour gas (H2S) results in the corrosion of natural gas processing equipment and the pipelines used
for transportation. Furthermore, the combustion of sour gas leads to the formation of oxides of
Sulphur, which are pollutants to the environment. CO2 is an inert gas, which does not take part in
combustion, but it is the major source of greenhouse gases that leads to global warming. These
acid gases should be removed by natural gas processing.

In this report, some of the natural gas processing techniques is discussed to remove these
impurities. To remove water and condensable materials phase separation equipment such as three-
phase separation is used. In this technique, water and higher hydrocarbons are removed from
natural gas in two separate phases. However, for the removal of acid gases several techniques like
physical and chemical separation via solvents, membrane separation and cryogenic fractionation
are established.

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Introduction:
Acid vapors such as hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and carbon dioxide are present in natural gas, which
is primarily composed of methane and light compounds (CO2). Natural gas can also contain
impurities like water and higher compounds in addition to acidic gases. To remove impurities
techniques like condensation, solvent separation, membranes or cryogenic fractionation is used.

Phase Separation:
Oil and gas separation is a crucial field refining procedure. Momentum, gravity settling, and
coalescing are three concepts used to accomplish the physical division of gas and liquids or solids.
Any separator may use any or all of these concepts; however, for separation to occur, the fluid
components must be insoluble and have distinct densities.

Retrograde condensation:
When output causes a gas reservoir's pressure to drop below dew point pressure, allowing liquid
hydrocarbons to develop there. Since a portion of the gas condenses it into liquid under isothermal
circumstances rather than expanding or vaporizing when pressure is reduced, it is known as a
retrograde condensation. In order to create a viable hydrocarbon liquid (condensate) for shipping,
these contaminants are separated by the condensate-producing machine.

Figure 1: Phase diagram for retrograde condensation

Acid gas removal:

Natural gas that contains H2S or other Sulphur molecules is referred to as sour gas, while CO2 only
natural gas is referred to as sweet gas. Equipment and pipes used in the handling of natural gas
may corrode because of sour gas. Although carbon dioxide is a neutral gas with no heating value,
it is the primary contributor to greenhouse gases that cause climate change. There are numerous

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techniques for eliminating corrosive vapors. Some can remove large amounts of toxic vapor. Some
are efficient in eliminating acid gas, but useless in eliminating organic Sulphur molecules.

Specifications of treated natural gas:

Consumers must treat natural gas to satisfy pipeline gas standards before using it. CO2 reduction
is necessary for natural gas recovery plants in order to prevent CO2 from solidifying in the plants'
colder regions. A CO2 concentration of less than 50 ppmv is usually required for natural gas
liquefaction plants. To comply with the greenhouse gas requirement, coal gasification facilities
may need to sequester 90% to 95% of the Concentration through carbon capture.

Materials and Methods:

For the separation of impurities, different strategies have established that are used for different
kinds of impurities. Like phase separation, condensate production, and gas treatment.

Types of phase separation:

Pressure containers called gravity dividers divide a stream of mixed phases into comparatively
free-moving liquid and gas phases. Reducing the gas velocity improves the effectiveness of the
gas and liquid split in a gravity divider, where gravitational forces govern separation. Both the
geometrical arrangement (vertical, horizontal) and the function (two-phase/three-phase divider) of
gravity separators are frequently used to categories them. In other terms, gravity separators are
categorized as "two-phase" if they split gas from the entire liquid stream and "three-phase" if they
also separate the liquid stream into stages that are abundant in crude oil and water.

Horizontal three phase separator:

Fluid enters a horizontal three-phase separator through an intake, where it instantly encounters an
inlet diverter. This abrupt contact starts the process of separating gas from oil, gives the initial
liquid, and vapor separation. The oil and emulsion separate in the vessel's portion used for
collecting liquids, creating a layer (or "pad") on top of the free water. The water level is maintained
by a contact liquid level sensor, while the oil level is maintained by a weir. The oil leaks over the
surface of the weir, and a level monitor then regulates its level by operating the oil dump outlet.

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 Figure 2: Schematic representation of three-phase separator

Vertical three phase separator:

Flow enters a vertical three-phase divider through a side intake as well, where it is met by an input
diverter right away. The separation procedure starts with this hit. The liquid is transmitted across
the oil-gas contact by a down comer. Gas pressure in the bottom part and gas section are equalized
by a chimney. The oil-water contact is where the "spreader," or down comer exit, is situated. Any
open water splits from the oil phase as the oil elevates from this point. Water puddles descend
through the grease. Oil droplets that are suspended in the water phase ascend up through the water
flow as it moves downhill.

Figure 3: Schematic of vertical three-phase separator

Advantages and Disadvantages:

Advantages Disadvantages
Horizontal three-phase separator
 Smaller diameter is needed compared to  Unless it is "stacked" installed, takes up
vertical containers for the same gas more room.
volume.
 Turbulence is typically reduced when foam  It is more important to regulate the liquid
is dispersed over a large watery surface volume.
area.
 No opposing movement.  Produced grit, dirt, wax, paraffin, etc. are
harder to clear.

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 Vertical three-phase separator

 Can manage more sand, mud, paraffin, and  Require a bigger diameter making them
wax without plugging. most viable for uses involving scrubbers,
very low GOR, or very high GOR.
 Has a complete diameter for oil and gas  It is not advised if there is a high
movement at the bottom. possibility for slugs.
 Control of liquid level is not very critical.  Instruments and safety devices positioned
on the summit are more challenging to
access and maintain.

Gas Treating Processes:

There are several gas treating processes are available that are used to remove acid gases from
natural gas. These are direct conversion, indirect conversion and separation technologies. Indirect
conversion is carried out by absorption with the help of physical or chemical solvents and
separation technologies involves the use of membranes or cryogenic separation.

Alkanolamine solvent (Chemical Solvent):

The typical method for handling gas is to use organic solvents, such as different alkanolamines.
Amines work well in situations where the treated gas must have low acid gas concentrations and
low acid gas partial pressures. Monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA), diglycolamine
(DGA), diisopropanolamine (DIPA), and methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) are examples of these
amines. With regard to the numerous acid gases, distinct amines react at varying speeds.

Figure 4: Process flow diagram for typical amine treating unit

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Physical solvent absorption:
Using the principle of absorption, physical solvent methods can eliminate organic Sulphur and
corrosive fumes without triggering a chemical reaction. When handling sour feed gas sources with
high acid gas concentration, physical solvents outperform chemical solvents. Henry's Law states
that the physical solvent's ability to contain acid gas rises with its partial pressure. They are
therefore more cost-effective than chemical agents are when handling high pressure, high CO2 gas.
Physical fluids, as opposed to molecular ones, function at room temperature or slightly below.
Since they are noncorrosive, rust cannot be fought with stainless steel. Only carbon steel is
necessary unless working at frigid temperatures.

The following are some of the more popular physical chemicals used in gas treating:

1. Propylene Carbonate (PC)

2. Dimethyl ether of polyethylene glycol (DEPG)
3. Methanol (MeOH)
4. N-methyl-2pyrrolidone (NMP)

Propylene Carbonate:
C4H6O3, or propylene carbonate, is a polar fluid. Compared to other solvents, PC has the lowest
absorption of compounds. PC is the least H2S selective of all the solvents and is less efficient at
removing H2S. PC has the lowest energy requirements for recovery and does not require heat to
renew. In the first decade of the 1960s, Fluor developed the Fluor Solvent method, which makes
use of PC as the solvent. With several benefits, the Fluor Solvent process is a chilled solvent
process that runs at low temperatures (10 to 20 oF). In comparison to rival methods, the PC unit
can work at low temperatures with a reduced solvent circulation, using less power and capital.

Membrane Separation:

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