1

Properties of Natural Gas

Karianne Vgenes
TPG4140 Natural Gas
November 17, 2011
2
Content
Terminology
Classification
Composition
Specification
Real Gas Law, z-factor
Corresponding states
Viscosity
Heat capacity
Summary
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Terminology
Natural gas, C1-C5+, water, inert gases
NGL (Natural Gas Liquids), under pressure
LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas),
propane + butane, -42 C
LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas), -162 C, 1 atm
CNG (Compressed Natural Gas), 200-300 bara
Condensate (liquid), C4-C7, transition gas-to-oil
Oil, C6 and heavier fractions
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Terminology of Natural Gas
J ahn et al. (1998)
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Classification
Reservoir conditions
Non-associated (dry gas), produced alone
(T > T
cricondemtherm
)
Associated gas (wet gas), produced with oil
Well, pipeline and process conditions
Rich gas, from production platform
Dry gas, no liquid fraction
Wet gas, NGL, no gas phase present
Condensate (T
critical
< T < T
cricondemtherm
)
Dense phase (p > p
critical
)
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Phase envelopes for reservoir fluids. C is critical point
Pedersen et al. (1989) Properties of Oils and Natural Gases, Gulf Publishing
Company
7
Pressure/temperature phase envelopes for main hydrocarbon types
J ahn et al. 1998
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Compositions, wellhead conditions
R
o
j
e
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Composition, generalization
Non-Associated (dry gas) Methane > 90 volume %
Associated gas (wet gas) Methane < 90 volume %
Sweet gas CO2 < 2 volume %
Sour gas CO2 > 2 volume %
Sweet gas H2S < 1 volume %
Sour gas H2S > 1 volume %
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Composition, Processed Gas
Source: K. J akobsen, A/S Norske Shell
(1) After processing at Kollsnes (on-shore processing plant), average for November 2000.
(2) After off-shore processing into off-shore pipelines, combination of Sleipner East and West, average November 2000.
(3) After off-shore processing into pipeline sgard Transport to Krst (onshore processing plant) for further processing, average for December 2000.
(4) Into onshore grid in The Netherlands.
Molecule Troll (1)
Norway
Sleipner (2)
Norway
Draugen (3)
Norway
Groningen (4)
Netherlands
Methane
Ethane
Propane
Iso-Butane
N-Butane
C5++
Nitrogen
Carbon-dioxide
93.070
3.720
0.582
0.346
0.083
0.203
1.657
0.319
83.465
8.653
3.004
0.250
0.327
0.105
0.745
3.429
44.659
13.64
22.825
4.875
9.466
3.078
0.738
0.720
81.29
2.87
0.38
0,15
0.04
0.06
14.32
0.89
100 100 100 100
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Specifications
Transport Specification
Hydrocarbon dew point, 5-10 C below ambient
Water dew point, 5-10 C below HC dew point
Temperature, 30-50 C
Pressure, depends on receiving terminal
Sales Specification (in addition to above)
Heating value (GHV = Gross Heating Value), MJ /Sm
3
Wobbe Index (WI = GHV/(specific density)
0,5
Removal of non-HC gasser (inert gases)
http://www.ipt.ntnu.no/~jsg/undervisning/prosessering/forelesninger/05-
Produktspesifikasjoner.pdf
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Properties Used in Equations
Density, need z-factor and molecular weight
Flow in wells, need z-factor and viscosity
Pressure drop in pipelines, need density and viscosity
Temperature in pipelines, need heat capacity
Compressor power and exhaust temperature, need
molecular weight and heat capacity ratio
Molecular weight, need relative density (gravity)
Reynolds number, need density and viscosity
Wobbe index, need calorific value and relative density
Hydrates and water, need water vapour in natural gas
(diagram or PVT package)
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Real Gas Law
V
sc
=V
p
p
sc
|
\

|
.
|
T
sc
T
|
\

|
.
|
1
z
|
\

|
.
|
q
sc
= q
p
p
sc
|
\

|
.
|
T
sc
T
|
\

|
.
|
1
z
|
\

|
.
|
pV = znRT
z
sc
~1
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Density and FVF
pV = znRT
M =
V
n
= M
i
i

y
i
=
pM
zRT
B FVF
( )
=
V
V
sc
m
3
Sm
3
|
\

|
.
|
B =
T
T
sc
|
\

|
.
|
p
sc
p
|
\

|
.
|
z
q = q
sc
B
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Finding z-factor
Diagram based on corresponding states, reduced pressure and
temperature for single components and pseudo-reduced
pressure and temperature for natural gas.
Empirical equations matched to z-factor diagram for natural gas.
Uses many constants and coefficients and in some cases
iteration.
Equation Of State (EOS) such as Peng-Robinson, Redlich-
Kwong and Benedict-Webb-Rubin. Implemented in many
different computer programs, such as HYSYS, Prosper and
PVTsim.
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Corresponding States
When pressure and temperature are normalized using
critical pressure and temperature, then all properties
become the same/similar, irrespective of composition.
Normalized pressure or temperature are called reduced
pressure or temperature in one component systems.
Normalized pressure or temperature are called pseudo-
reduced pressure or temperature in multi-component
systems.
Commonly used when gas properties (natural gas and
other gases) are to be correlated and/or presented.
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Reduced P & T
( )
( )
i
i
ci c
i
i ci c
c
pr r
c
pr r
y T T
y p p
T
T
T T
p
p
p p

=
=
= =
= =
Kays Rule
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Calculate z-factor
P=125 bara
T=49 C
P
c
=25 bara
T
c
=38 C
P
r
=P/P
c
=5
T
r
=T/T
c
=1,29
Z=0,73
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Rojey et al. (1997)
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Calculate density
From gas law:
pV = znRT
V =
m

,n =
m
M
=
pM
zRT
Given:
P=125 bara
M=18,3 kg/kmol
Z=0.73
R=8314 J /kmol.K
T=49 C
111 kg/m
3
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Viscosity from Diagram
Diagram shows viscosity against temperature for gas
components (methane, ethane, propane etc.) at
atmospheric pressure.
Empirical equation (shown under) gives estimate of
viscosity to natural gas (mixture of methane, ethane,
propane etc.) at atmospheric pressure.
Diagram gives viscosity ratio to viscosity at atmospheric
pressure against reduced pressure and temperature

=
2 / 1
2 / 1
i i
i i i
M y
M y

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Katz et al. (1959), fra Rojey et al. (1997)
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Katz et al. (1959), fra Rojey et al. (1997)
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Heat Capacity
C
p
=o + |T +T
2
C
p
R
= A+ BT +CT
2
C
p
R
|
\

|
.
|
CH
4
=1,702+9,08110
3
T 2,16410
6
T
2
R = 8,314(kJ / kmol.K)
C
p
( )
CH
4
= 0,2047+1,09210
3
0,260310
6
(kJ / kmol.K)
Nr per mol bruk molfraksjon for blanding
Nr per masse bruk massefraksjon for blanding
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Campbell (1984)
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Beggs (1984)
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Summary
Terminology uses English-derived abbreviations, for example
such products as LPG and LNG.
Classification expresses origin and physical condition of
natural gas in reservoirs, wells, pipelines and processing
plants.
Phase envelope shows physical state of oil and gas at all
reservoir conditions and all processing conditions.
Natural gases have different composition, from production to
processing. Non-HC included (water, inert gases).
Specifications state requirements for transport and sale,
mainly composition and heating value, but also pressure and
temperature.
Volume specifications vary from country to country. Norway
uses 1 atmand 15 C (USA uses 1 atmand 60 F).
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Several physical and thermodynamic properties of
natural gas are used in course.
Real gas law and reduced pressure and temperature
used in diagrams.
Empirical correlations used for transport properties, for
example for viscosity.
Heat capacity can be obtained from figures.
Equation Of State (EOS) used in computer programs for
pVT properties (also thermodynamic properties).
Hysys available at NTNU (see info. on home page).
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References
Beggs, H.D. (1984): Gas Production Operations, OGCI Publications,
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Campbell, J .S. (1994): Gas Conditioning and Processing, Campbell
Petroleum Series, Norman, Oklahoma.
Fletcher, P. (1993): Chemical Thermodynamics, Longman, Harlow,
Essex.
Gas Processors Association (1998): Engineering Data Book, Tulsa,
Oklahoma.
J eje. O. & Mattar, L. (2004): Comparison of Correlations for Viscosity
of Sour Natural Gas, 5th Canadian International Petroleum
Conference, Calgary, Alberta, J une 8-10, Paper 2004-214.
Rojey, A. (1997): Natural Gas, ditions Technip, Paris.
Smith, J .M., Van Ness, H.C. & Abbott, M.M. (1996): Introduction to
Chemical Engineeering Thermodynamics, McGraw-Hill, New York.