Application note

Moisture measurement in natural gas processing
Benefits:• Multiple measurements on a single
electronics platform offer a lower
cost per measurement point.
• Aluminium oxide sensors canmeasure at process pressure sono need of expensive pressure
reduction equipment in thesample conditioning system.
• Wide dynamic range of sensor,
can measure from ppbs rightthrough to ppms.

Summary
Natural gas processing plants produce LNG, ethane and LPGs among otherproducts. The natural gas feed to the processing plant is dried to remove moistureand then cryogenically cooled to extract the desired product. Too much moisturein the feed natural gas entering the cryogenic section of the plant can cause ice
formation and blockages in the plant.

Application
There are different methods to dry natural gas. First stage drying of raw natural
gas typically involves a separator drum to remove liquid water followed by a
Triethylene Glycol (TEG) dryer, which is capable to dry the gas to typically <10 ppm.
This is pipeline grade natural gas which also becomes the feed to the processing
plant. The processing plant drying method uses molecular sieve dryers which
are capable to dry the gas to <1 ppm, a requirement before the gas enters thecryogenic section of the processing plant. A moisture measurement is requiredon the outlet of the dryer unit to ensure the dryer is performing to specification. Amoisture measurement is often made on the inlet gas to the plant also, to ensure
wet gas is not entering the plant.

Challenge
There are generally multiple molecular sieve dryers in the plant, all requiring
an online moisture measurement on each dryer bed outlet. Other moisturemeasurement technologies are typically configured as single channel instruments
and many can only measure at low pressure.

Solution
The Panametrics multichannel moisture.IQ offers the perfect solution as up to six
measurements can be carried out on a single analyzer platform. The aluminumoxide sensor can work up to 5000 psig so measurements can be made at processpressure while the wide dynamic range of the sensor allows measurement

down to ppb levels. For customers that prefer transmitter
type solutions, the HygroPro is a great fit. The Aurora laser
moisture analyzer is also an option for the plant inletmeasurement point.

Application specifications
Typical moisture range molsieve outlet: 0-5 ppmV
Typical operating pressure: 800 - 1000 psig
Plant inlet typical moisture range: 5 - 50 ppmV

Panametrics, a Baker Hughes business, provides solutions in the toughest
applications and environments for moisture, oxygen, liquid and gas flow
measurement.
Experts in flare management, Panametrics technology also reduces flareemissions and optimizes performance.
With a reach that extends across the globe, Panametrics’ criticalmeasurement solutions and flare emissions management are enablingcustomers to drive efficiency and achieve carbon reduction targets acrosscritical industries including: Oil & Gas; Energy; Healthcare; Water andWastewater; Chemical Processing; Food & Beverage and many others.
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