Sensor research targets gas company needs

There is a need to ensure that the various hydrocarbon dew point analysers available on the market are accurate and give repeatable results.

Michell Instruments is working with gas production companies to conduct research into the accuracy and performance of commercially available hydrocarbon dew point sensors.

Hydrocarbon dew point measurement determines the temperature at which the heavier hydrocarbon molecules in natural gas will condense to form a liquid, and it is vital for the global natural gas industry.

Not only does it indicate the quality of the gas at custody transfer, it is also critical for the safe operation of gas pipelines.

Because of this, there is a need to ensure that the various hydrocarbon dew point analysers available on the market are accurate and give repeatable results.

The full title of the joint industry project is Tests of Instruments for Measuring Hydrocarbon Dew Points in Natural Gas Streams.

It is being conducted by the South West Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas and involves key industry groups such as the Pipeline Research Council International and the Gas Producers Association as well as analyser manufacturers including Michell Instruments.

Phase 1 of this Joint industry project has focused on assessing the performance of on-line hydrocarbon dew point analysers in comparison with analytical and manual measurement techniques using defined natural gas compositions.

Analyser testing will continue in Phase 2, where controlled levels of methanol and moisture vapour will be added as contaminants to the test gas to simulate real-world pipeline operating scenarios.

The Phase 1 report, which compares online measurements to the traditional manual methods and with equation of state calculated values, has been published published.

As participants in the research project, Michell Instruments is able to provide copies of the report to those who are interested in finding out more about hydrocarbon dew point sensors and gas production.

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