‫بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيم‬

Chemical Technology 1
(10626474)
Chapter 3: Natural Gas
Dr. Raed Ma’ali

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 Objectives

• To study the composition of natural gas.

• To study the sources of natural gas.

• To study the treatment processes of natural

gas.

• To study the properties of natural gas.

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 Natural Gas

 It consists mainly of methane (95%) with

deceasing amounts of ethane, propane, and
normal and isobutane.
 It contains inorganic gases such as nitrogen,
carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, helium,
argon, and water vapor.

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 Sources of Natural Gas
 Natural gas from coal mines
 Biogas: it is produced by decomposition of
organic product in absence of oxygen.
 Natural gas from Petroleum.
 Associated natural gas is present in contact with
and/or dissolved in crude oil. It has higher ratio
of methane.
 Non associated natural gas is found in reservoirs
containing no oil. It has lower ratio of methane.
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 Natural Gas

• Non hydrocarbon constituents in natural gas

can be classified to weak acids (H2S and CO2)
and inert (N2, He, and Ar).

• Uses of Natural Gas

Raw materials for industry and fuel.

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 Natural Gas Treatment Processes
• CO2, H2S, H2O vapor, and hydrocarbons must be
removed from natural gas.
• Physical absorption using a selective absorption
solvent, in this process, no chemical reactions
occur.
• Physical adsorption using a solid with high
surface area (zeolites).
• Chemical absorption (Chemisorptions): Using
weak base such as mono and diethanol amine to
absorb large amounts of acid .
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 Removal of Carbon dioxide
• It must be removed because:

 It reduces the heating value of natural gas.

 It solidifies under high pressure and low

temperature used for transportation

• It can be removed by absorption using sodium

hydroxide solution.

2 NaOH + CO2 → H2O + 2Na2CO3

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 Water Removal
• It must be removed to reduce the corrosion
problems.

• Water is removed by passing natural gas

through adsorbers containing Al2O3 which
takes up water vapor to for Al2O3.2 H2O.

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 Removal of Hydrocarbons
• Oil extraction
 Cooling natural gas.
Washing with hydrocarbon liquid
• Adsorption method
Activated carbon is used as adsorbers.
• Compression method
The compressed gas is passed through a
tubular cooler.

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 Natural Gas Liquids (NGL)
• An Ethane Rich Stream
It is used for producing ethylene.
• Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)
It is a propane - butane mixture. It is used as
fuel.
• Natural gasoline (NG)
It is constituted of C5 hydrocarbons.

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 Properties of Natural gas

• It is gaseous at temperature greater that 161 0C.

• m3 is the production unit.

• N2 and/or CO2 reduce(s) the heating value of natural

gas.

• Natural gas is odorless, colorless, and tasteless.

Mercaptan is added as odorant for safety reasons.
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