Noncryogenic N[sub 2]-rejection process gets Hugoton field test

Journal Article · Mon May 24 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Oil and Gas Journal; (United States)

OSTI ID:6425447

Mehra, Y R; Wood, G C ^[1]; Ross, M M ^[2]

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1. Advanced Extraction Technologies Inc., Houston, TX (United States)
2. Anadarko Petroleum Corp., Houston, TX (United States)

A noncryogenic, absorption-based, nitrogen-rejection process has been installed and run on a 5 MMscfd field unit at Anadarko Gathering Co.'s Hugoton, Kan., compressor station. In the newly patented Mehra Process nitrogen-rejection unit (NRU) concept, adapted from principles used in lean-oil absorption processes, methane is absorbed away from the nitrogen. Contrary to the use of heat in conventional lean-oil plants, the new process uses a heatless approach to separating the recovered methane gases by reducing the pressure of the rich oil in steps. The separated gases, containing less than 2 mol % N[sub 2] and meeting all other pipeline specifications, are compressed for sales. In most situations in which the process can be used, the nitrogen is rejected to the atmosphere, and there is often no need for inlet-gas compression. The NRU can later be complemented with NGL recovery or helium recovery units or both with no changes within the NRU section. Because of the noncryogenic operating conditions of the process, treatment for CO[sub 2] and mercury (Hg) removal is unnecessary. Inexpensive carbon steel metallurgy used exclusively for manufacturing all equipment additionally shortens construction schedules.

• OSTI ID: 6425447
• Journal Information: Oil and Gas Journal; (United States), Journal Name: Oil and Gas Journal; (United States) Vol. 91:21; ISSN OIGJAV; ISSN 0030-1388
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
030300* -- Natural Gas-- Drilling
Production
& Processing
ABSORPTION
ALKANES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DENITRIFICATION
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENERGY SYSTEMS
ETHANE
FIELD TESTS
FLEXIBILITY
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
HELIUM
HYDROCARBONS
INSTALLATION
KANSAS
LIQUIDS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS RECOVERY
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MINERAL RESOURCES
NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
NATURAL GAS FIELDS
NATURAL GAS LIQUIDS
NITROGEN
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
OPERATION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PRESSURE DROP
PROCESSING
PROPANE
RARE GASES
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TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TENSILE PROPERTIES
TESTING
USA
WASTE MANAGEMENT
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