Critical Quality, Safety and Reliability Measurements in Natural Gas

Why it’s important to measure oxygen, hydrocarbon and water dew point using advanced moisture and gas sensors and analyzers

Globally, we consume around 4 bcm (billion cubic meters) of natural gas each year, to generate power, heat residential and commercial properties and drive industrial processes. However, growth has slowed since the Covid pandemic and, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), demand will remain low, at just 0.8 % year-on-year growth, through to 2025. The IEA cites the war in Ukraine, price volatility, lower economic activity and a switch to clean energy technologies as contributory factors.

In its 2023 Energy Outlook, BP uses three different planning scenarios to predict future demand for natural gas through to 2050; in only one scenario does the company anticipate long-term growth – and even this is modest. BP points out that the effects of energy transition – of electrification and the adoption of renewable energy – especially in Asia and Africa, will be key determinants of the rate at which demand for natural gas changes, but also notes that, in the near-term, this may be offset by growing demand from emerging economies as they industrialize. 

Although, in recent years, the cost of producing and distributing natural gas has fallen in real terms, we cannot be certain that this trend will continue in the future. The growing costs of doing business, which are driven by factors such as rising inflation and environmental commitments, are likely to put greater pressure on operating margins for producers and distributors of natural gas.

Set against a background of slowing demand and rising costs, it is evident that natural gas processers and transmission operators need to identify methods of improving operational efficiencies and driving down operational expenditure: for example, through better process control, higher gas quality, greater safety and lower maintenance and repair costs. 

Measurement and control 

Improving efficiency while reducing costs depends on a number of factors. One of the most important of these is accurate and repeatable measurement of key process parameters, of which oxygen, hydrocarbon dew point and water dew point are critical. These parameters are typically measured using suitable dew-point sensors combined with gas and moisture analyzers, and sometimes require the ability for multi-channel aggregation as offered by the Michell Multi-Channel Process Monitor (MCPM). 

Oxygen measurement in natural gas 

When found in natural gas processing and transportation, oxygen is generally considered to be an impurity, as it reacts with other constituents in the natural gas affecting gas quality and creating potential safety risks. In particular: 

Hydrocarbon dew-point measurement in natural gas

Hydrocarbon dew point (HCDP) is an essential measurement in natural gas processing and transportation, as it helps to prevent gas from condensing into a liquid form. This is important for a number of reasons:

Water dew-point measurement in natural gas 

Measuring the dew point of water in natural gas is also important for efficient system function, safety and cost control. In particular: 

Accurate and consistent measurement of these three key process parameters – oxygen, hydrocarbon dew point and water dew point – using advanced moisture and gas sensors and analyzers is therefore critical for the efficient, safe and profitable operation of natural gas processing and transmission systems. 

To learn more about the advanced instruments we offer to help monitor these parameters, see our range of process moisture analyzers or visit our Natural Gas industry page. 

We are the world’s leading experts in moisture monitoring and dew-point measurement. We have eight different technologies covering all moisture applications, backed by unrivalled technical and customer support. To learn more, talk to one of our application specialists today.

Sources

International Energy Agency gas market report

BP Energy Outlook

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