Using energy-saving technology of supersonic gas separation at condensate fields in the Far North

Creation of high efficiency and small-sized complex gas treatment plant (CGTP) for gas transport is the key problem of north gas condensate field’s development in Russia. Current CGTP work on low temperature separation's process (LTS), based on method of gas cooling by means drop of pressure in Joule-Thompson valve or turbo-expander. It does not meet to modern requirements of resources and energy savings during field's production. In article presented an industrial test results of supersonic gas-dynamical gas separation technology (GDS), test was performed at Gazprom dobycha Yamburg facility.
Materials and methods
During the work, the following researches were performed: 1. Calculation analysis of GDS specification: Research method is computer modeling of gas swirling flow in GDS passage, calculation analysis of geometrical configuration of gas-dynamical passage (channel) in supersonic separator, calculation analysis of working parameter's influence (pressure, temperature, flow, gas condensate content) to efficiency of GDS unit. 2. Calculation analysis of heating and mass flow balance flowsheets LTS based on different processes. 3. Verification of mathematical calculations and data obtained during the preliminary and acceptance tests of the unit model of supersonic GDS on UPMT-15S of Zapolyarny gas condensate field. Methods of study are: • recording and analysis of operating modes UPMT-15 (pressure, temperature, flow rate, composition, temperature dew point gas streams); • chromatographic analysis of gas samples; • calculation analysis based on the results of measurements. 4. Calculation comparative economic analysis of the various flowsheets of gas preparation at the CGTP.
Results
Industrial testing of supersonic separation technology performed at the facility of "Gazprom dobycha Yamburg". Tests shown that this technology can be effectively used for solving problems related to the gas preparation to the main transport, provided advanced production of hydrocarbon condensate and minimize investment costs and energy efficiency of gas treatment unit in general.
Сonclusions
The tests shown that the use of the LTS with the replacement Joule-Thompson valve GDS unit in the gas preparation allows to combine the simplicity and reliability of the LTS with the Joule-Thompson valve with a advanced production of liquid hydrocarbons including ethane, and propane-butane, due to low temperature (about -55... -65 0С), realized in the nozzles GDS. Therewith it is important that all remaining elements LTS temperature weren't below minus 35 0С.