Introduction to Natural Gas Engineering
Natural gas is a subcategory of
petroleum, naturally occurring as a
complex mixture of hydrocarbons with
minor inorganic compounds. It is used
primarily as fuel and as a raw material in
manufacturing. In households, it is
utilized for furnaces, water heaters, and
stoves, while industrially, it fuels brick,
cement, and glass production, among
other applications. Additionally, it serves
as a raw material for producing hydrogen,
sulfur, carbon black, and ammonia .
Origins and Accumulation of Natural Gas
Natural gas forms from organic debris
deposited and buried over millions of years,
subjected to compaction, high pressure, and
temperature. This process transforms
organic materials into coal, oil, or natural
gas. To accumulate, three key components
are required:
1. Source Rock: Organic material
compacted into hydrocarbons.
2. Porous Media (Reservoir): To store
the created gas
3. Impermeable Cap Rock: To trap the
gas and prevent migration.
Classification of Natural Gas
By Chemical Composition
1. Dry Natural Gas
o High methane content (85-95%).
o Contains minimal heavier
hydrocarbons and impurities.
o Used in electricity generation and
residential heating with minimal
processing.
2. Wet Natural Gas
o Contains methane (70-85%), with
significant amounts of ethane,
propane, and butane.
o Requires processing to separate
natural gas liquids (NGLs) for
petrochemical use.
3. Associated Gas
o Found with crude oil; contains
methane and heavier
hydrocarbons.
o Often flared but can be processed
for industrial use.
4. Non-Associated Gas
o Extracted from gas fields without
oil.
o High methane purity, used after
minimal processing .
By Temperature and Pressure
1. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
o Stored under high pressure (2000-
3000 psi).
o Used in vehicles and heating
systems.
2. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
o Cooled to -161°C, reducing volume
by 600 times.
o Used for international
transportation and power
generation.
Properties of Natural Gas
1. Colorless, Odorless, and
Tasteless: Requires artificial odorants
for leak detection.
2. Shapeless: Takes the shape of its
container.
3. Density: Defined as mass per unit
volume, calculated using the real gas
law.
4. Viscosity: Low compared to oil
and water, enhancing mobility in
reservoirs.
5. Compressibility Factor (Z-factor):
Indicates deviation from ideal gas
behavior.
6. Heating Value: Ranges between
900-1200 Btu/ft³, based on gas
composition.
Extraction of Natural Gas
1. Well Types
o Vertical Wells: For shallow
reservoirs.
o Horizontal Wells: Maximize
contact with gas layers.
o Directional Wells: Access specific
locations without disturbing
surface structures.
Transportation Methods
1. Pipelines: Economical but
inflexible.
2. LNG: Efficient for long distances,
requiring specialized facilities.
3. CNG: Suitable for short distances
but costly over long distances.
4. Gas Hydrates: Experimental but
promising for safe transport.
5. Gas to Liquids (GTL): Converts
gas into liquid fuels or chemicals.
6. Gas to Power (GTP): Uses gas to
generate electricity at the source.
7. Gas to Commodities (GTC):
Directly powers manufacturing
processes.
Combustion and Applications
Combustion Stages
1. Mixing: Achieving the
stoichiometric air-fuel ratio.
2. Ignition: Initiates methane-
oxygen reactions.
3. Primary Combustion: Produces
CO and H₂.
4. Secondary Combustion:
Converts CO to CO₂ and H₂ to H₂O.
5. Cooling and Exhaust: Releases
cooled gases.
Applications
• Electricity Generation: Powers gas
turbines and combined cycle
plants.
• Heating: Central and radiant
systems.
• Cooling: Absorption systems and
gas heat pumps.
Environmental Impacts
1. Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
CO₂ and CH₄ contribute to global
warming.
2. Air Pollution: NOx and CO
Mitigation Strategies
1. Emission Reductions
o Carbon capture and storage.
o Improved thermal efficiency.
2. Air Pollution Control
o Catalytic converters and fuel cells.
Biodiversity Protection
Horizontal drilling and protected
areas.
THANKS
