Mobile gas processing is a process of treating natural gas. Unlike large fixed plants, mobile units can be transported to different locations. They help remove impurities, separate valuable components, and make the gas safe for use or transport.
Here are six main steps involved in mobile gas processing.
Separation of Gas
Gas contains liquids, oils and solid particles, therefore the first step in mobile gas processing is receiving that gas from the production site and is separated from these substances by using separators. This step is essential to ensure that the gas entering the processing system is clean and ready for further treatment.
Liquid and solids when entered in the system can damage the equipment and affect the gas quality, therefore they need to be removed first.
Compression of Gas
Mobile gas units use compressors to increase the pressure of the gas in this step because the gas pressure is usually low after separation. This step maintains the flow of the gas and keeps it steady, which is important for the upcoming steps in processing, such as dehydration and cleaning.
Without proper compression, the processing unit cannot work efficiently, and the gas may lose its quality.
Dehydration of Gas (Removing Water)
Water is present in raw gas, which can cause corrosion in pipelines and equipment if left untreated. Dehydration is the process of removing this water from the gas. Mobile units often use different dehydration methods to remove water and moisture from the gas.
This step ensures the safety for storage and transport. It also helps prevent problems like ice formation or damage to pipelines, especially in colder environments. This step in mobile gas processing is essential, because it makes the gas reliable and usable after processing.
Cleaning the Gas
Sometimes unwanted substances such as carbon dioxide are present in the gas. These types of unwanted substances need to be removed to make the gas safe to use. This cleaning process is often called gas sweetening which uses chemical treatments to clean the gas.
This step in processing improves the quality of the gas and ensures it meets safety standards. If this step is not performed, untreated gas can be harmful and may damage equipment or pipelines.
Separating Valuable Components
There are also some valuable liquids present in the natural gas such as propane and butane, and these liquids can be used as a fuel for heating and cooking. Mobile gas units can separate these natural gas liquids to use.
The remaining gas, which is mainly methane, goes through the system for further processing. This step increases the gas value and makes the process more efficient and practical.
Final Treatment
The final step after the gas is cleaned and valuable components are separated is cooling or filtering. This step ensures that there are no impurities left. After this, the processed gas is then ready for pipelines, storage tanks, or transport vehicles such as trucks or LNG carriers.
Mobile units deliver the gas at the production site or nearby infrastructure. This final step ensures that the gas is clean, safe, and ready for use.
