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WANG Wei(王玮) 1 , DUAN Jimiao(段纪淼) 1 , LI Ming(李明) 1 , XIN Peng(信鹏) 2 ,
SHI Bohui(史博会) 1 , ZHANG Wenwei(张文伟) 2 , GONG Jing(宫敬) 1
1. Beijing Key Laboratory of Urban Oil & Gas Distribution Technology, China University of Petroleum,
Beijing 102249, China;
2. China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Corporation, China National Petroleum Corporation,
Langfang 065000, China
© Central South University Press and SpringerVerlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013
Abstract: The occurrence of liquid condensation in natural gas accounts for new challenges during the interoperability between
transmission networks, where condensation would lead to higher pressure drops, lower line capacity and may cause safety problem.
A successful case of hydrocarbon dew point (HCDP) analysis is demonstrated during the mixing of natural gases in the transmission
pipeline. Methods used to predict the HCDP are combined with equations of state (EOS) and characterization of C6+ heavy
components. Predictions are compared with measured HCDP with different concentrations of mixed gases at a wide range of pressure
and temperature scopes. Software named “PipeGasAnalysis” is developed and helps to systematic analyze the condensation problem,
which will provide the guidance for the design and operation of the network.
detail of HCDP prediction known to have a large impact
1 Introduction on accuracy is the method used to characterize the heavy
hydrocarbons when the exact composition beyond C6
Hydrocarbon dew point (HCDP) in natural gas has cannot be resolved by field gas chromatography [7].
always been an issue for many years [1−2], and they are In this work, a successful case of HCDP analysis is
still the main topic in gas quality today. Moreover, they demonstrated during the transmission of a natural gas
count for a major part in the new context of pipeline in China [8], where another gas resource with
interoperability among the transmission networks. heavier hydrocarbons is introduced and mixed. Methods
Hydrocarbon liquids in distribution systems can be used to predict the HCDP are presented by field gas
carried from main transmission lines or can result from chromatograph combined with EOS and the
retrograde condensation downstream of the pressure characterization of C6+ heavy components the HCDP
regulating station and the corresponding Joule Thomson measurement of the gas mixture in a high pressure
cooling effect [3]. If the liquid is not removed, it may sapphire cell and comparison with the predicted ones is
cause problems such as flame extinguishing or overfiring included as part of the case study [9−11].
in furnaces or damage to gas turbines. In addition, liquids
in transmission lines lead to higher pipeline pressure 2 Purpose and significance
drops and reduced line capacity. Therefore, it’s essential
to predict the HDCP accurately and determine the As to the hydrocarbon condensation problem,
operational condition reliably. Chinese standard of the natural gas GB17820—1999 is
The analysis and prediction of hydrocarbon dew that there is no liquid hydrocarbon at the intersection
points and liquids in transmission lines have been pressure and temperature of natural gas. Moreover, the
discussed in literature for decades [4−5], where the gas pipeline design specification demands that
method using gas chromatography in combination with hydrocarbon dew point under operation conditions must
equations of state (GCEOS) is widely accepted [6]. One be lower than the minimum environmental temperature.
Foundation item: Project(2011ZX0502600403) supported by the Key National Science and Technology Specific Program, China; Project(NCET120969)
supported by the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University, China; Project(51104167) supported by the National Natural
Science Foundation of China; Project(BJ201102) supported by the Research Funds of China University of PetroleumBeijing
Received date: 2012−05−14; Accepted date: 2012−11−10
Corresponding author: GONG Jing, Professor, PhD; Tel: +86−10−89733804; Email: ydgj@cup.edu.cn
J. Cent. South Univ. (2013) 20: 2454−2458 2455
However, as to the deployment process of different aij = a ji = ai a j (1 - ki j ) (7)
natural gases in network, there may be different phase
behaviours because of gas compositions and difference where ai and bi are parameters of pure component, kij is
of pipeline operation conditions. Thus, the condensation the interaction parameter.
of hydrocarbon in the pipeline still exists [7, 11]. (3) Fugacity coefficient fi
With the fast growth of demanding in north China, b i
natural gases from the West to East pipelines are lnfi = ( z - 1) - ln( z - B ) -
bm
considered as the supplement. Since the natural gases
from the West to East pipeline contained a relatively é 2 å x j a ij ù
A ê j b i ú æ z + (1 + 2) B ö
amount of hexane, heptanes and even heavier ê - ú ln ç ÷ (8)
components, the injection of the introduced gas may 2 2 B ê am b m ú çè z + (1 - 2) B ÷ø
ë û
induce the problem of condensation. So, a
A=a(T)p/(RT) 2 , B=bp/(RT) (9)
comprehensive analysis is carried out about the mixing
based on its capacity. Four main aspects are involved: where z is the compressive factor, A and B are relevant
(1) The prediction of HCDP is based on gas parameters.
chromatography analysis in combination with equations (4) Flash calculation
of state (GCEOS); n z ( K i - 1 )
(2) Characterization of C6+ component is considered, å ( Ki = 0
) e + 1
(10)
since the field gas chromatography provides the total i =1 i - 1
Table 2 Measured HCPD of binary gas mixture
Binary gas mixture Temperature/K Pressure/MPa
294.5 4.50
294.0 3.50
100% Gas1 293.0 3.05
295.5 5.05
295.0 4.00
Fig. 1 Comparisons between measured and predicted HCDP of
291.5 5.00
gas mixture: (a) V(Gas1):V(Gas2)=50%:50%; (b) V(Gas1):
291.0 5.50
V(Gas2)= 70%:30%; (c) V(Gas1):V(Gas2)=90%:10%
90% Gas1+10% Gas2 292.0 4.00
290.0 3.50 predicted one with the developed software, a conclusion
290.5 6.00 can be drawn that the “PipeGasAnalysis” will
283.5 5.50 underestimate the HCDP. If the composition of the
282.5 5.95 hydrocarbon is fully given, the prediction is acceptable
70% Gas1+30% Gas2 284.0 5.00 with an average error of 4.5 K. However, when the
285.0 4.10 heavier hydrocarbon is given as a lumped C6+, a larger
281.5 6.50 predicted error might be given even combined with
proper characterization as described in Section 3.1 and a
275.5 4.05
maximum error reaches 15 K in the cases studied. Based
275.0 5.00
on the above understanding, the software
50% Gas1+50% Gas2 274.0 5.55
“PipeGasAnalysis” is used for judging the mixing
275.0 6.05 percentage of the transferred natural gas and provides
271.0 6.50 useful guidance for strategy making and operation.
J. Cent. South Univ. (2013) 20: 2454−2458 2457
The simulation of the pipeline is based on the
4 Case for HCDP analysis in ShaanJing proposed 2015 running condition, where the natural gas
pipeline is transferred from both I and II West to East pipelines
(named WE1 and WE2 in Fig. 2) at Zhongwei to
“PipeGasAnalysis” is designed to analyze the Jingbian. The ground temperature used is the average
natural gas phase behaviour in the transmission network. winter temperature measured in 2010. While the
The currently built gas pipelines are considered in the compositions of the transferred natural gases are selected
software, while the compositions of the natural gas are based on the gas chromatography, where the relatively
traced from the entrance, via the mixing point and final severe gas samples are chosen, which are online detected
to the exist of the pipeline. and recorded from the period of January to March, 2010.
A sketch map of the gas network analyzed in China The simulated operational pressure and temperature of
is given in Fig. 2, where the red rectangular indicates the the third Shaan−Jing pipeline are shown in Fig. 3. The
point where gases mixed. In this work, Shaan−Jing comparisons of the phase envelop and pipeline operation
pipeline is chosen as an example for demonstration. The parameters are given in Fig. 4, where the phase envelop
first Shaan−Jing pipeline (named SJ1 in Fig. 2) starts is predicted under the designed mixing proportion (light
from the gas processing plant in Changqing gas field, in to heavier ratio, 14.5:57) of the transferred gases. Further,
Shaanxi province, and terminates in the Yamenkou the C6+ component in the gas is characterized with a
terminal in Beijing. While the second (SJ2) and third Gaussian Quadrature method. In Fig. 4, the lines with
(SJ3) Shaan−Jing pipelines are built in 2005 and 2010 yellow dots are pipeline operation parameter. It’s
respectively. The lengths of the second and third pipeline doubted that there might be the occurrence of the liquid
are 935 and 896 km, respectively, with a diameter of 1 condensation in the pipeline as some of the operational
016 mm and designed pressure of 10 MPa. points go into the two phase region. At the same time, the
With the fast growth of demanding from the “PipeGasAnalysis” has a tendency to underpredict the
downstream customs, natural gases from the West to East HCDP as shown in Section 3.2, thus the mixing
pipelines are transferred and will be the main supply for proportion has to be rereckoned.
the second and third Shaan−Jing pipeline. However, the When the mixing proportion changes to the ratio of
natural gases imported or domestic from the West to East 30:70 (light to heavier), as the dash line in Fig. 5, the
pipelines always contain heavier hydrocarbons as hexane, condensation region retreats and the mixed natural gas
heptanes and even heavier components. Hypothetic will be harder to condense during transmission.
simulation and analysis are carried out to determine A systematic analysis is carried out on the
whether there is liquid condensation in the future. transferred natural gas in the whole network and the
Fig. 2 Sketch map of gas network analyzed in “PipeGasAnalysis”
2458 J. Cent. South Univ. (2013) 20: 2454−2458
pipeline sections having a tendency to form condensation gas is predicted based on GCEOS (PR equation), van
are figured out. Further, the mixing proportion is also der Waals mixing law and proper characterization of C6+
considered as a adjustable parameter to avoid components.
hydrocarbon condensations in the new context of 2) The HCDF predictions are validated with
interoperability among the transmission networks based measurements of mixed natural gases at a wide range of
on its designed capacity. pressure and temperature conditions.
3) Software named “PipeGasAnalysis” is developed
to analyze the condensation problem in the transmission
networks. A systematic analysis is carried out and the
mixing proportion is considered as an adjustable
parameter to avoid condensations
References