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Fundamentals of Natural Gas Processing: 6.2 Water Content of Hydrocarbons
Fundamentals of Natural Gas Processing: 6.2 Water Content of Hydrocarbons
The rst two areas are less demanding and a variety of processes are available
to meet the need. However, the third application, as well as gas liquefaction and
cryogenic nitrogen rejection units, requires water contents an order of magnitude
lower than the other two. Molecular sieves can provide dehydration to this level.
Water content is stated in a number of ways:
The rst three water-content values are commonly used with gases, and the
second and fourth values are used with liquids. The rst and third values are
convenient, as they are easily related (21 ppmv per lb/MMscf [18 mg/Sm3]). Use
of ppmw requires knowledge of the hydrocarbon molecular weight for conversion
to other concentrations. Unfortunately, the dew point is commonly used because
it makes practical sense. However, no simple conversion method exists between
dew point and the other concentration units.
This chapter provides ways to estimate the water content of gases and then
discusses the common processes used for its removal. The same basic processes
apply to drying liquids, but the liquid, which has a higher density, alters the
processes slightly. Chapter 10 discusses dehydration of liquids.