01
Figure 1 presents the calculated hydrate formation curve (solid curve) and the dew point portion of the
phase envelope of a sweet natural gas (solid curve with the square). Figure 1 also presents the dew point
and hydrate formation curves for the same gas mixture containing 10 and 20 mole % CO2. Figure 1
indicates that as the CO2 mole % increases from 0 to 20 mole %, the hydrate formation curves shift slightly
to the left, depressing the hydrate formation temperature. Note that the points to the left and above the
hydrate curves represent the hydrate formation region. From an operational point of view, this region
should be avoided/prevented. This figure also indicates, as CO2 mole % increases, the cricondenbar
decreases and the phase envelope shrinks.
Figure 1. The impact of CO2 on the hydrocarbon dew point and hydrate formation curve.
Similarly, Figure 2 presents the calculated hydrate formation curve (solid curve) and the dew point portion
of phase envelope for the same sweet natural gas (solid curve with the square). Figure 2 also presents the
dew point and hydrate formation curves for the same gas mixture containing 10 and 20 mole % H2S.
Figure 2 indicates that as the H 2S mole % increases from 0 to 20 mole %, the hydrate formation curves
shift considerably to the right, promoting the hydrate formation temperature. This is opposite to the effect of
CO2 and it is more pronounced. From an operational point of view, this is undesirable because H2S
expands the hydrate formation region to the right. Note that the points to the right and below of the hydrate
curve represent the hydrate-free region. Figure 2 also indicates, as H2S mole % increases, the
cricondenbar decreases and the phase envelope shrinks. The shrinkage of the phase envelope is less
than that of CO2.
Figure 2. The impact of H2S on the hydrocarbon dew point and hydrate formation curve.
Figure 3 presents the calculated hydrate formation curves for a sweet gas, a sour gas with 20 mole %
CO2 and a sour gas with 20 mole % H2S. This figure clearly indicates that the impact of H2S is much bigger
than the CO2 impact; CO2depresses (shifts to the left) the hydrate formation condition slightly but H 2S
promotes hydrate formation considerably. As an example, at 1000 psia (6900 kPa), CO 2 reduces hydrate
formation temperature for this gas by about 5.5F (3C) while, H 2S increase hydrate formation temperature
by about 20F (11.1C).
Figure 3. The opposite impact of CO2 and H2S on the hydrate formation curve
Conclusions:
The presence of CO2 and H2S in natural gas has an opposite impact on the hydrate formation condition.
While the impact of CO2 is small, H2S has considerable impact on the hydrate formation condition.
CO2 depresses hydrate formation (acts as hydrate inhibitor and shifts the hydrate curve to the left) while
H2S shifts the hydrate curve to the right, promotes hydrate formation conditions, and may cause severe
operational problems.
FIGURA 1.
FIGURA 3. IMPACTO DEL H2S EN EL PUNTO DE ROCIO DEL HIDROCARBURO Y LA CURVA DE FORMACION
DE HIDRATOS
CONCLUSIONES:
LA PRESENCIA DE CO2 Y H2S EN UN GAS NATURAL, TIENE UN IMPACTO
CONTRARIO EN LA CONDICION DE FORMACION DE HIDRATOS. MIENTRAS
QUE EL IMPACTO DE CO2 ES PEQUEO EL H2S TIENE UN IMPACTO
CONSIDERABLE EN LAS CONDICIONES DE FORMACIONES DE HIDRATOS. EL
CO2 DESPRECIA LAS FORMACIONES DE HIDRATOS, ACTUA COMO UN
INHIVIDOR DE HIDRATOS Y CAMBIA LA CURVA DE HIDRATOS HACIA LA
IZQUIERDA; MIENTRAS QUE EL H2S CAMBIA LA CURVA DE HIDRATOS HACIA
LA DERECHA PROMOVIENDO LAS CONDICIONES DE FORMACION DE
HIDRATOS Y CAUSANDO MUCHOS PROBLEMAS OPERACIONALES.