Natural Gas Liquid Sampling System Pressure Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for analyzing liquid natural gas, particularly from shale sources, face challenges due to high pressures and the presence of heavy hydrocarbons, which require expensive and complex process gas chromatographs, leading to inaccurate energy measurements and high maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A natural gas liquid sampling system that reduces high-pressure liquid natural gas to a lower pressure using a pressure regulator and vaporizer, followed by a heated liquid filter/separator to eliminate entrained liquids, allowing for analysis using standard gas chromatographic equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If process gas chromatographs are used to analyze natural gas liquid samples, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary vaporization of the liquid natural gas sample before analysis by passing it through a heated vaporizer. This pre-treatment converts the liquid sample into gas phase, eliminating the need for complex process gas chromatographs and allowing standard equipment to accurately measure energy content.
2Device complexity
If pressure reduction is applied to liquid natural gas, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature changes may affect sample stability
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temperature parameter by heating the liquid natural gas sample in a vaporizer before pressure reduction. This temperature increase prevents condensation and maintains sample stability during the subsequent pressure reduction process, allowing the use of simpler equipment without compromising sample integrity.
3Measurement precision
If vaporization is used to remove entrained liquids, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the phase transition from liquid to gas by heating the liquid natural gas sample in a vaporizer. This phase change effectively removes entrained liquids and improves measurement precision. The energy consumption is managed by using a controlled heating process that efficiently achieves vaporization without excessive energy input.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system enhances sample quality by controlled vaporization and pressure reduction, enabling accurate analysis with conventional equipment, reducing costs and maintaining sample stability, suitable for gas stripping facilities and heavy hydrocarbon measurements.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure regulator to reduce the incoming liquid pressure (e.g. 6000 psi for natural gas liquid) to a level not exceeding 200 psi
Implementation Method 2
the low pressure liquid natural gas is introduced into a vaporizer which serves to eliminate the presence of any entrained liquid in the natural gas sample by heating the gas above the hydrocarbon dew-point temperature
Implementation Method 3
the output from the vaporizer may be input into a heated liquid vapor filter/separator that is then passed to a single or multi-stage heated heated pressure regulator
Data Source
AI summary
System and method for natural gas liquid sample pressure regulating vaporizer system including a vented cabinet having a gas sample input, a pressure regulator, a single path vaporizer, a liquid block, a heated regulator and a gas sample outlet, and a communications assembly including a temperature controller, a communication outlet, and a power input electrically connected via appropriate secure feedthroughs to the cabinet.