US20120167621A1 - Method of processing gas associated with oil - Google Patents
Method of processing gas associated with oil Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20120167621A1 US20120167621A1 US13/414,108 US201213414108A US2012167621A1 US 20120167621 A1 US20120167621 A1 US 20120167621A1 US 201213414108 A US201213414108 A US 201213414108A US 2012167621 A1 US2012167621 A1 US 2012167621A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- gas
- methane
- degrees celsius
- set forth
- ethane
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 32
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 90
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 68
- ATUOYWHBWRKTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Propane Chemical compound CCC ATUOYWHBWRKTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 37
- QQONPFPTGQHPMA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Propene Chemical compound CC=C QQONPFPTGQHPMA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 26
- OTMSDBZUPAUEDD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethane Chemical compound CC OTMSDBZUPAUEDD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 239000001294 propane Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 239000007792 gaseous phase Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 238000009833 condensation Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 230000005494 condensation Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 239000007791 liquid phase Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 125000004432 carbon atom Chemical group C* 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- NNPPMTNAJDCUHE-UHFFFAOYSA-N isobutane Chemical compound CC(C)C NNPPMTNAJDCUHE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 20
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000001282 iso-butane Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- IJDNQMDRQITEOD-UHFFFAOYSA-N n-butane Chemical compound CCCC IJDNQMDRQITEOD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000010779 crude oil Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Chemical compound O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- OFBQJSOFQDEBGM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Pentane Chemical compound CCCCC OFBQJSOFQDEBGM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 12
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 10
- UHOVQNZJYSORNB-UHFFFAOYSA-N Benzene Chemical compound C1=CC=CC=C1 UHOVQNZJYSORNB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 9
- 238000009835 boiling Methods 0.000 description 9
- VLKZOEOYAKHREP-UHFFFAOYSA-N n-Hexane Chemical compound CCCCCC VLKZOEOYAKHREP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 9
- IMNFDUFMRHMDMM-UHFFFAOYSA-N N-Heptane Chemical class CCCCCCC IMNFDUFMRHMDMM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 8
- QWTDNUCVQCZILF-UHFFFAOYSA-N isopentane Chemical compound CCC(C)C QWTDNUCVQCZILF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 8
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 7
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 7
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 description 5
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- AFABGHUZZDYHJO-UHFFFAOYSA-N dimethyl butane Natural products CCCC(C)C AFABGHUZZDYHJO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 4
- VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethene Chemical compound C=C VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- UGFAIRIUMAVXCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon monoxide Chemical compound [O+]#[C-] UGFAIRIUMAVXCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910002091 carbon monoxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000008246 gaseous mixture Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 125000004435 hydrogen atom Chemical class [H]* 0.000 description 2
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000003345 natural gas Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000012071 phase Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 2
- XDTMQSROBMDMFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Cyclohexane Chemical compound C1CCCCC1 XDTMQSROBMDMFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 150000001335 aliphatic alkanes Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 150000001336 alkenes Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005336 cracking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002274 desiccant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002808 molecular sieve Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003209 petroleum derivative Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- URGAHOPLAPQHLN-UHFFFAOYSA-N sodium aluminosilicate Chemical compound [Na+].[Al+3].[O-][Si]([O-])=O.[O-][Si]([O-])=O URGAHOPLAPQHLN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010457 zeolite Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10L—FUELS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NATURAL GAS; SYNTHETIC NATURAL GAS OBTAINED BY PROCESSES NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C10G, C10K; LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS; ADDING MATERIALS TO FUELS OR FIRES TO REDUCE SMOKE OR UNDESIRABLE DEPOSITS OR TO FACILITATE SOOT REMOVAL; FIRELIGHTERS
- C10L3/00—Gaseous fuels; Natural gas; Synthetic natural gas obtained by processes not covered by subclass C10G, C10K; Liquefied petroleum gas
- C10L3/12—Liquefied petroleum gas
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10L—FUELS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NATURAL GAS; SYNTHETIC NATURAL GAS OBTAINED BY PROCESSES NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C10G, C10K; LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS; ADDING MATERIALS TO FUELS OR FIRES TO REDUCE SMOKE OR UNDESIRABLE DEPOSITS OR TO FACILITATE SOOT REMOVAL; FIRELIGHTERS
- C10L3/00—Gaseous fuels; Natural gas; Synthetic natural gas obtained by processes not covered by subclass C10G, C10K; Liquefied petroleum gas
- C10L3/06—Natural gas; Synthetic natural gas obtained by processes not covered by C10G, C10K3/02 or C10K3/04
- C10L3/10—Working-up natural gas or synthetic natural gas
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
- F25J3/06—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by partial condensation
- F25J3/0605—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by partial condensation characterised by the feed stream
- F25J3/061—Natural gas or substitute natural gas
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
- F25J3/06—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by partial condensation
- F25J3/063—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by partial condensation characterised by the separated product stream
- F25J3/0635—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by partial condensation characterised by the separated product stream separation of CnHm with 1 carbon atom or more
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
- F25J3/06—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by partial condensation
- F25J3/063—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by partial condensation characterised by the separated product stream
- F25J3/065—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by partial condensation characterised by the separated product stream separation of CnHm with 4 carbon atoms or more
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J2260/00—Coupling of processes or apparatus to other units; Integrated schemes
- F25J2260/60—Integration in an installation using hydrocarbons, e.g. for fuel purposes
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
- F25J2290/12—Particular process parameters like pressure, temperature, ratios
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to a method for producing combustible gas for gas engines from associated gas obtained during oil production, the associated gas containing methane, ethane, propane, hydrocarbons having more than three carbon atoms, and optionally propene, wherein a gaseous fraction and a liquid fraction are obtained by partially condensing the associated gas, wherein the condensation process is performed under such pressure and temperature conditions that the liquid phase is substantially free from methane, ethane, propane, and optionally propene, and that substantially the entire methane, ethane, propane, and optionally propene are contained in the gaseous phase.
Description
- The invention concerns a method of producing combustible gas for gas engines from associated gas which is produced in crude oil production and which contains methane, ethane, propane, hydrocarbons having more than three carbon atoms and optionally propene, wherein a gaseous fraction and a liquid fraction are obtained by partially condensing the associated gas.
- In crude oil production from crude oil deposits by means of crude oil production stations an associated gas is produced, which almost exclusively consists of hydrocarbons. This involves a mixture of different gaseous hydrocarbons, primarily alkanes and alkenes. That associated gas is frequently referred to as “associated petroleum gas” or APG, and earlier also as “flare gas”.
- It will be noted however that this associated gas is unsuitable for feeding into a gas pipeline as, in comparison with natural gas which contains methane as its main component, it has a complex mixture of different hydrocarbons. Consumers which are optimized for given gas compositions and gas qualities cannot be optimally operated with such mixtures. Therefore that associated gas has long been of low significance for energy utilization. For many years it was burnt without being put to use, and the earlier term of “flare gas” is also derived from that consideration. That method is not only environmentally harmful but it also represents a waste of valuable resources.
- A possible way of using the associated gas involves combustion in boilers operated with gas burners. It will be noted however that the thermal energy requirement at the oil production stations which are situated in the most exposed locations is generally not as great as there is associated gas. Direct utilization of the gas, by it being burnt in gas engines operated on the basis of the Otto cycle in order to produce power by means of a generator as a further consequence falls foul of the excessively low methane number of the associated gas. The methane number is a measurement in respect of anti-knock quality and an excessively low methane number means that the anti-knock quality of the associated gas is excessively low to convert it into power and heat with co-generating heat and power installations.
- To make the associated gas useable for combustion in a gas engine using the Otto cycle a gas processing installation generally has to be disposed upstream of the gas engine. Different technologies are known for that purpose, inter alia the membrane technology or cooling the gas to extremely low temperatures. In that respect it is usual to produce almost natural gas quality, that is to say to increase it to a methane content of over 85%. Deposited higher-grade hydrocarbons can further be used as a valuable substance by cracking or by direct thermal utilization.
- The membrane technology for processing associated gases represents a relatively high technical and financial involvement. The alternative, cooling the gas with the aim of providing that the higher-grade hydrocarbons condense out, is also very complicated and expensive, nonetheless requiring very low temperatures of the order of magnitude. Thus for example propane (C3H8) becomes liquid at −42 degrees Celsius, and ethane (C2H6) even becomes liquid only at −89 degrees Celsius. Such temperatures can be produced for example with turbo-expanders. That also requires a very high level of technical and financial implementation.
- WO 2007/070198 A2 presents a method of processing associated gas in crude oil production. That method primarily involves producing a methane-rich gaseous phase and a liquid phase with a low methane content. In that respect different pressure and temperature conditions are referred to, wherein attention is primarily directed to very low temperatures and very high pressures so that this affords a gaseous phase containing almost exclusively methane and small traces of ethane. It will be noted however that the liquid phase produced in that case still has a high methane and ethane content, which can be deduced from the described method conditions and examples. That however is also understandable as the production of a liquid phase with a high useful energy value is in the forefront in WO 2007/070198 A2.
- The methods applied hitherto, in which the associated gas was cooled to such low temperatures and pressures that almost pure gaseous methane and a condensate with the other hydrocarbons is produced, is extremely complicated and expensive in energy terms as cooling to the boiling point of ethane or ethene is required to achieve enrichment of methane in the gaseous phase. WO 2007/070198 A2 allows certain residues of hydrocarbon compounds with two carbon atoms in the gas. It will be noted however that the choice of the method conditions provides that the liquid phase has a very high methane content which is naturally at the expense of the quality of the gaseous phase obtained. The gaseous phase obtained is therefore suitable for implementation in a gas engine in view of the methane number but the complicated and expensive method conditions make operation of the gas engine uneconomical. The high-grade liquid phase obtained however still has to be transported away.
- The object of the present invention is to improve the method of the kind set forth in the opening part of this specification such that the products obtained can be better employed in further utilization. In particular the invention seeks to provide that the gaseous fraction obtained can be burnt in a gas engine operated on the basis of the Otto cycle in order to produce power and heat by way of a co-generating heat and power installation. In that respect production of the gaseous fraction is to be as inexpensive as possible from the economic point of view by making use of the prevailing temperature and pressure conditions of the associated gas obtained in oil production.
- In a method of the general kind set forth in the opening part of this specification that object is attained in that the condensation process is performed under such pressure and temperature conditions that the liquid phase is substantially free from methane, ethane, propane and optionally propene, and substantially the entire methane, ethane, propane and optionally propene is contained in the gaseous phase.
- The basic idea of the invention, in the production of associated gas, is to transfer hydrocarbons with a high methane number into the gas phase and to condense out hydrocarbons with a low methane number. That provides a gaseous mixture which contains substantially all the methane, ethane, propane and possibly propene. In that way the methane number in the gaseous phase and thus also the anti-knock quality of the gas can be increased. The particular realization is that hydrocarbons with more than three carbon atoms enormously reduce the anti-knock quality while hydrocarbons with up to three carbon atoms can be excellently well used in a gas engine. In particular n-butane and isobutane are responsible for the anti-knock rating being reduced while a gas with the main constituents methane, ethane and propane (optionally also propene) has a methane number which is excellently well suited for implementation in gas engines, in particular also those with upstream-connected compressor devices. The aim therefore is to separate off n-butane and isobutane.
- In contrast to the state of the art therefore a particularly high-grade gaseous phase can be obtained in that way, with the valuable constituents methane, ethane and propane, while the liquid phase contains the higher-grade hydrocarbons, wherein that phase is still excellently well suited for possible further utilization. From that point of view the liquid phase with a high methane content, as is obtained in accordance with WO 2007/070198 A2, is a waste when considered in energy terms as gas engines are markedly more sensitive than installations for combustion of the liquid phase produced. The gas obtained in accordance with WO 2007/070198 A2 is also not optimum in terms of energy yield as a large part of the methane is lost.
- It is preferably provided in accordance with the invention that the condensation process is performed at a temperature of between −5 degrees Celsius and −14 degrees Celsius. Particularly preferably the temperature range is between −7 degrees Celsius and −14 degrees Celsius. As the boiling point of isobutane is −11.7 degrees Celsius, it is therefore desirable if the temperature is below −11.7 degrees Celsius. In many geographical areas of use of the method the prevailing ambient temperatures are in the region of those values so that expensive cooling can thereby either be entirely avoided or can be effected in correspondingly inexpensive fashion, thereby permitting economically particularly advantageous production of the gaseous fraction.
- It is preferably provided that the condensation process is effected in a plurality of stages, wherein cooling is effected to a temperature of between −5 and −8 degrees Celsius in one stage and to a temperature of between −8 and −14 or −12 degrees Celsius in a further stage. In that way low-boiling hydrocarbons can be collected in a first fraction and higher-boiling hydrocarbons can be collected in a second liquid fraction. In that way however it is also possible for any water contained in the associated gas to be condensed in a first step.
- It is advantageous under the above-selected temperature conditions if at the same time certain pressure conditions are set as temperature and pressure are responsible for the condensation characteristics of gases. It is preferably provided in that respect that the pressure in the condensation process is between 1 bar and 16 bars, preferably between 10 bars and 16 bars, particularly preferably between 14 bars and 16 bars. In many cases the associated gas produced in crude oil production issues at a pressure in the region of those values so that the choice of that range permits economically particularly advantageous production of the gaseous fraction. In addition the costs of pressure equipment for pressures to be generated of up to 16 bars are relatively low in comparison with pressure equipment in a higher pressure equipment category.
- It is further preferably provided that the gaseous fraction has a methane number of at least 40, preferably at least 45. The methane number as a measurement of the anti-knock quality of the engine is important for the further purpose of use. In the present case the gaseous fraction obtained is in fact to be used in a gas engine so that there should be a methane number of at least 40, preferably at least 45.
- In addition in a variant it can be provided that the gaseous phase is substantially free from n-butane and isobutane.
- In a further variant it can be provided that water vapor which is possibly present in the associated gas is removed. In that respect it is possible to use for example absorption agents and molecular sieves like zeolites or known drying agents like inorganic salts. A composition of a possible associated gas from an oil production station will now be described by reference to an example in following Table 1:
-
TABLE 1 Composition of an associated gas (Example): Compound Mol. % CO2 0.05 N2 3.78 Methane CH4 36.67 Ethane 15.29 Propane 23.17 Isobutane 6.16 n-Butane 9.73 Isopentane 2.08 n-Pentane 1.88 Hexane 0.76 Cyclohexane 0.06 Heptanes 0.18 Octanes 0.14 Nonanes 0.04 Decanes and higher-grade 0.01 hydrocarbons Total 100 - The mixture described in the Table has a methane number of 32.7 and is not suitable for combustion in an Otto-cycle gas engine. After cooling to about −14 degrees Celsius there was a gaseous mixture which almost exclusively consisted of methane, ethane and propane and has a methane number of 45. In addition the gas contains traces of carbon dioxide and nitrogen. The other constituents are almost completely contained in the condensate. Following Tables 2 and 3 also show once again the difference between the subject-matter of the invention and the state of the art.
-
TABLE 2 Gas processing by cooling to −12 degrees Celsius Compound Boiling point (° Celsius) H2 Hydrogen −253 N2 Nitrogen −196 CO Carbon monoxide −192 O2 Oxygen −183 CH4 Methane −162 C2H4 Ethene −104 C2H6 Ethane −89 CO2 Carbon dioxide −79 C3H6 Propene −48 C3H8 Propane −42 C4H10 Isobutane −12 C4H10 n-Butane −1 C5H12 Isopentane 28 C5H12 Pentane 36 C5H12 n-Pentane 36 C6H14 Hexane 69 C6H6 Benzene 80 C7H16 Heptane 98 -
TABLE 3 Gas processing by cooling to −48 degrees Celsius Compound Boiling point (° Celsius) H2 Hydrogen −253 N2 Nitrogen −196 CO Carbon monoxide −192 O2 Oxygen −183 CH4 Methane −162 C2H4 Ethene −104 C2H6 Ethane −89 CO2 Carbon dioxide −79 C3H6 Propene −48 C3H8 Propane −42 C4H10 Isobutane −12 C4H10 n-Butane −1 C5H12 Isopentane 28 C5H12 Pentane 36 C5H12 n-Pentane 36 C6H14 Hexane 69 C6H6 Benzene 80 C7H16 Heptane 98 - As can be seen from Tables 2 and 3 the subject-matter of the invention (Table 2) provides that all gaseous constituents with boiling points below isobutane are collected in the gaseous phase and those with a boiling point thereabove are collected in the condensate. In the state of the art (Table 3) which involves cooling to −48 degrees Celsius enrichment in the gaseous phase is effected exclusively in respect of those compounds which have a boiling point of CO2 and below, concentration of the other constituents occurs in the condensate. In accordance with WO 2007/070198 A2 only enrichment in respect of CH4 in the gaseous phase would be observed at all, clean separation is not effected.
- The applicant's calculations showed that, with typical associated gas which occurs in oil production stations, only few higher-grade hydrocarbons have to be separated off to be able to operate modern internal combustion engines which are designed or adapted specifically for gases with a low resistance to knocking. These include heptane (C7H16), benzene (C6H6), n-pentane and isopentane (C5H12) as well as n-butane and isobutane (C4H10). All those components already condense at −12 degrees Celsius so that it is sufficient for the gas to be cooled down to that temperature. That can be implemented inexpensively and with a low level of complication with commercial refrigerating machines such as for example water chillers and with commercially available heat exchangers and condensate locks.
- The advantage of the method is that the gas does not have to be cooled down to very low temperatures as was otherwise usual but only to between about −5 and −14 degrees Celsius, preferably −12 degrees Celsius, to make the gas suitable specifically for internal combustion engines in regard to anti-knock rating. That achieves a marked reduction in costs.
Claims (9)
1. A method of producing combustible gas for gas engines from associated gas which is produced in crude oil production and which contains methane, ethane, propane, hydrocarbons having more than three carbon atoms and optionally propene, wherein a gaseous fraction and a liquid fraction are obtained by partially condensing the associated gas, characterized in that the condensation process is performed under such pressure and temperature conditions that the liquid phase is substantially free from methane, ethane, propane and optionally propene, and substantially the entire methane, ethane, propane and optionally propene is contained in the gaseous phase.
2. A method as set forth in claim 1 characterized in that the condensation process is performed at a temperature of between −5 degrees Celsius and −14 degrees Celsius.
3. A method as set forth in claim 2 characterized in that the condensation process is performed at a temperature of between −7 degrees Celsius and −12 degrees Celsius.
4. A method as set forth in claim 1 characterized in that the condensation process is effected in a plurality of stages, wherein cooling is effected to a temperature of between −5 and −8 degrees Celsius in one stage and to a temperature of between −8 and −12 degrees Celsius in a further stage.
5. A method as set forth in claim 1 characterized in that the pressure in the condensation process is between 1 bar and 16 bars, preferably between 10 bars and 16 bars, particularly preferably between 14 bars and 16 bars.
6. A method as set forth in claim 1 characterized in that the gaseous fraction has a methane number of at least 40, preferably at least 45.
7. A method as set forth in claim 1 characterized in that the gaseous phase is substantially free from n-butane and isobutane.
8. A method as set forth in claim 1 characterized in that water vapor which is possibly present in the associated gas is removed.
9. A method as set forth in claim 8 characterized in that the water vapor is removed by condensation, absorption or combinations thereof.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ATA1557/2009 | 2009-10-02 | ||
ATA1557/2009A AT508831B1 (en) | 2009-10-02 | 2009-10-02 | METHOD FOR THE TREATMENT OF PETROLEUM GAS |
PCT/AT2010/000362 WO2011038437A1 (en) | 2009-10-02 | 2010-10-01 | Method for processing gas associated with oil |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/AT2010/000362 Continuation WO2011038437A1 (en) | 2009-10-02 | 2010-10-01 | Method for processing gas associated with oil |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20120167621A1 true US20120167621A1 (en) | 2012-07-05 |
Family
ID=43446560
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/414,108 Abandoned US20120167621A1 (en) | 2009-10-02 | 2012-03-07 | Method of processing gas associated with oil |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20120167621A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2483375A1 (en) |
AT (1) | AT508831B1 (en) |
RU (1) | RU2530898C2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2011038437A1 (en) |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4664687A (en) * | 1984-12-17 | 1987-05-12 | Linde Aktiengesellschaft | Process for the separation of C2+, C3+ or C4+ hydrocarbons |
Family Cites Families (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE1944802U (en) * | 1966-06-04 | 1966-08-25 | Burger Eisenwerke Ag | THROTTLE TAP ON GAS HEATERS. |
GB1275260A (en) * | 1968-09-30 | 1972-05-24 | Exxon Research Engineering Co | Improvements in the purification of natural gas |
US3754405A (en) * | 1969-02-10 | 1973-08-28 | Black Sivalls & Bryson Inc | Method of controlling the hydrocarbon dew point of a gas stream |
CA1107190A (en) * | 1979-12-06 | 1981-08-18 | Donald D. Livingstone | Hydrocarbon recovery |
DE3626560A1 (en) * | 1986-08-06 | 1988-02-11 | Linde Ag | Process for the removal of C4-hydrocarbons from a gas mixture |
GB2229519A (en) * | 1989-03-15 | 1990-09-26 | Foster Wheeler Energy Ltd | Treatment process for gas stream |
FR2688224A1 (en) * | 1992-02-24 | 1993-09-10 | Shell Int Research | Process for the treatment of acidic liquefied petroleum gases |
TW366409B (en) * | 1997-07-01 | 1999-08-11 | Exxon Production Research Co | Process for liquefying a natural gas stream containing at least one freezable component |
TW573112B (en) * | 2001-01-31 | 2004-01-21 | Exxonmobil Upstream Res Co | Process of manufacturing pressurized liquid natural gas containing heavy hydrocarbons |
GB2413824A (en) * | 2004-05-07 | 2005-11-09 | Statoil Asa | Operating diesel-cycle i.c. engines on gaseous fuels with ignition-improvers |
PE20060989A1 (en) * | 2004-12-08 | 2006-11-06 | Shell Int Research | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PRODUCING A LIQUID NATURAL GAS CURRENT |
FR2883769B1 (en) * | 2005-03-31 | 2007-06-08 | Inst Francais Du Petrole | PROCESS FOR PRETREATING AN ACIDIC GAS |
US20070130991A1 (en) | 2005-12-14 | 2007-06-14 | Chevron U.S.A. Inc. | Liquefaction of associated gas at moderate conditions |
-
2009
- 2009-10-02 AT ATA1557/2009A patent/AT508831B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2010
- 2010-10-01 RU RU2012117788/04A patent/RU2530898C2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2010-10-01 WO PCT/AT2010/000362 patent/WO2011038437A1/en active Application Filing
- 2010-10-01 EP EP10770504A patent/EP2483375A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2012
- 2012-03-07 US US13/414,108 patent/US20120167621A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4664687A (en) * | 1984-12-17 | 1987-05-12 | Linde Aktiengesellschaft | Process for the separation of C2+, C3+ or C4+ hydrocarbons |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2483375A1 (en) | 2012-08-08 |
WO2011038437A1 (en) | 2011-04-07 |
AT508831B1 (en) | 2012-09-15 |
RU2012117788A (en) | 2013-11-10 |
AT508831A1 (en) | 2011-04-15 |
RU2530898C2 (en) | 2014-10-20 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US5295350A (en) | Combined power cycle with liquefied natural gas (LNG) and synthesis or fuel gas | |
JP4718497B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for producing products such as helium and liquefied natural gas from natural gas | |
US7678951B2 (en) | Method for adjusting the high heating value of gas in the LNG chain | |
AU2020200538A1 (en) | Process and apparatus for heavy hydrocarbon removal from lean natural gas before liquefaction | |
EP0395490B1 (en) | Process for the recovery of liquid hydrocarbons from a gaseous feed stream, and apparatus for carrying out this process | |
US20140001097A1 (en) | Process for the recovery of crude | |
EA008240B1 (en) | Integrated processing of natural gas into liquid products | |
CA2794778C (en) | Process for treating a stream of cracked gas coming from a hydrocarbon pyrolysis plant, and associated plant | |
CN102206128A (en) | Separation method for low-carbon olefin prepared from oxygen-containing compound | |
CN101100619A (en) | High content environmental protection alcohol ether fuel additive for vehicle | |
US20190204008A1 (en) | Above cryogenic separation process for propane dehydrogenation reactor effluent | |
US20100242536A1 (en) | Method of processing a feed natural gas to obtain a processed natural gas and a cut of c5+ hydrocarbons, and associated installation | |
WO2019030688A1 (en) | Process for the treatment of a gas mixture comprising methane, hydrogen, carbon oxide and carbon dioxide | |
RU2615092C9 (en) | Processing method of main natural gas with low calorific value | |
US20180320960A1 (en) | Reflux of demethenization columns | |
US4664687A (en) | Process for the separation of C2+, C3+ or C4+ hydrocarbons | |
US20120167621A1 (en) | Method of processing gas associated with oil | |
Liu et al. | A new adsorption process to intensify liquefied petroleum gas recovery from raw natural gas | |
FR3069458B1 (en) | METHOD FOR PURIFYING NATURAL GAS CURRENT | |
US4675036A (en) | Process for the separation of C2+ or C3+ hydrocarbons from a pressurized hydrocarbon stream | |
CN111732983A (en) | LNG light hydrocarbon recovery system and method | |
Acton | Alkanes—Advances in Research and Application: 2013 Edition | |
RU2458101C1 (en) | Method of producing condensed aviation fuel (versions) | |
CN108865285A (en) | It is a kind of using coal and natural gas as the oil of raw material-Electricity Federation production. art | |
FR3069457B1 (en) | PROCESS FOR SEPARATING A NATURAL GAS CURRENT IN A METHANE ENRICHED FRACTION AND A FRACTION ENRICHED IN C2 AND SUPERIOR HYDROCARBONS |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: GE JENBACHER GMBH & CO OHG, AUSTRIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:POCKSTALLER, FRANZ;WALL, GUENTHER;SIGNING DATES FROM 20120213 TO 20120214;REEL/FRAME:027821/0741 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |