Question regarding natural gas with condensate
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The natural gas in our company’s pipeline system has been functioning normally, but this year a large amount of condensate appeared downstream of the pressure regulator. Analysis showed that its composition is similar to that of naphtha, consisting mainly of alkanes and cycloalkanes. However, it was not detected before depressurization; in actual operation, it was found that the amount of condensate increases when the temperature drops. I would like to ask if there are any methods, other than raising the temperature, to prevent the formation of condensate
This indicates that the composition of the natural gas you transport has changed; it previously contained little or no light hydrocarbons, but now their content has increased. Before depressurization, it was in the gas phase; depressurization and throttling for cooling caused the light hydrocarbons to become supersaturated and then precipitate. The key to solving the problem lies upstream, or by adding a separate liquid separation tank.
The natural gas at the upstream source is first cooled to 10–15°C below the ambient temperature, and gas-liquid separation is carried out to recover condensate oil. During the subsequent transportation through the pipeline, the temperature will gradually rise naturally by 10–15°C, and no condensate oil will be produced.
Expansion refrigeration: condensate oil is produced at low temperatures