Analysis of processed natural gas injection on hydrate formation in high pressure refrigerated condensate lines

Abstract

Natural gas and condensate are exposed to hydrates formation at high pressure and low temperature in the presence of traces of water. Hydrates formation results in blockage of pipelines and equipment leading to plant shutdown and production losses. This study intends to find a novel hydrate prevention process for high pressure refrigerated condensate (HPRC) lines. HPRC is utilised as lean oil for enhanced liquified petroleum gas recovery in absorption process. This research was conducted by performing fifteen tests in which various processed natural gas (PNG) samples were injected into different HPRC samples using Aspen HYSYS software. The results showed lowering of the hydrates formation temperature in the HPRC at constant pressure. By capitalizing on in-house resources and reducing dependence on traditional hydrate inhibitors, this innovative approach offers cost-effectiveness and readily available hydrate inhibitor for HPRC lines in gas processing facilities. Moreover, it has been found that PNG samples with a relatively higher percentage of methane are more effective in lowering the hydrate formation temperature when injected into the HPRC lines. This study will enable hydrates researchers in reducing hydrates management costs in HPRC lines and invite hydrates prevention research in all areas capitalizing on in-house resources and reducing external dependence.

Keywords

• Natural gas
• Condensate
• Hydrate formation prediction
• HYSYS
• Hydrate prevention
• Hydrate inhibitor