Physico-chemical properties of natural gas. Extraction and use of natural gas

The gaseous state of matter is the most common compared to other aggregate parameters of compounds. Indeed, in this state are:

• stars;
• interstellar space;
• planets;
• atmosphere;
• space in general.
  

The main distinctive properties of gases are weak.intermolecular interactions in the crystal lattice, due to which all the main characteristics of these substances are manifested. Gas, of course, very much. However, we consider the most important and third most common on our planet - natural.

Natural Gas: Composition

Если характеризовать качественный состав natural gas, then immediately need to highlight the components of two groups: organic and inorganic. Since it is generally accepted that it consists of methane, but this is not quite so.

Organic components include:

• methane - CH₄;
• propane - With₃H₈;
• butane - C₄H₁₀;
• ethane - C₂H₄;
• heavier hydrocarbons with more than five carbon atoms.

Inorganic components include the following compounds:

• hydrogen (in small quantities) - H₂;
• carbon dioxide - CO₂;
• helium - Not;
• nitrogen - N₂;
• hydrogen sulfide - H₂FROM.

What exactly will be the composition of a mixture,depends on the source, i.e. field. The same reasons also explain the different physicochemical properties of natural gas. However, any one of them is mined, and everybody also has value. Just some kind is used as fuel, and saturated with extraneous impurities is too fat in the chemical industry for the synthesis of compounds.

Physico-chemical properties of natural gas

To specify similar parameters exactly,You should know what exactly the composition of the gas mixture. After all, if it is mostly methane (up to 97%), then the characteristics can be given, focusing on it.

If the inorganic components or heavy hydrocarbons are in excess (up to several percent), then the physicochemical properties of natural gas change dramatically.

Therefore, it is possible to specify only approximate boundary indicators for physical characteristics.

1. Auto-ignition temperature - 650-700⁰FROM.
2. The octane number is 120-130.
3. It has no color, taste and smell.
4. Lighter than air almost 2 times, easily concentrated in the upper layers of the room.
5. The density in the form of the normal state (gas) - 0.68-0.85 kg / m³.
6. Under standard conditions, always be in the gaseous state of aggregation.
7. When mixed with air in volumes from 5-15%, it is explosive.
8. Heat of combustion - about 46 MJ / m³.

In addition, it should be noted, and the chemical side of the parameters of natural gas.

1. It is highly flammable and can ignite spontaneously when a spark is supplied and without it at a certain temperature.
2. Since the main component is methane, it has all its chemical properties.
3. Enters into the reaction of substitution, dehydrogenation, pyrolysis, is subjected to refraction.
4. It compresses and liquefies at low temperatures and elevated pressure.
   

It is obvious that such physicochemical properties of natural gas determine a wide range of its use in industry.

Special property of natural gas

Особое свойство рассматриваемого соединения - это the ability to form gas hydrate deposits, that is, to be in a solid state. These structures are the volumes of natural gas absorbed by the molecules of formation water in a ratio of 1/220. Therefore, such deposits are extremely rich rocks. Places of their concentration in nature:

• deep bottom layers of the oceans;
• permafrost accumulations.

The conditions of existence are hydrodynamic pressure and low temperatures.

Natural gas fields

If we talk about the content of natural gas in nature, we can distinguish the main places of concentration:

1. It is a mountainous sedimentary rock, a mineral that has been formed for many millennia by the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter in the deep layers of the earth's crust.
2. It is dissolved in groundwater.
3. It is part of the oil, forming an oil and gas cap above it.
4. It lies in the form of gas hydrates in the layers of the seabed and points of the Far North.

If, however, to designate the spread of gas fields geographically, the leaders are the following countries:

• Russia.
• The countries of the Persian Gulf.
• USA.
• Canada.
• Iran.
• Kazakhstan.
• Azerbaijan.
• Uzbekistan.
• Norway.
• Turkmenistan
• Netherlands.

World production is approximately 3,643 billion m annually.³ in year. Of these, only Russia accounts for 673.46 billion m³.

The temperature of natural gas at which it burns is 650 ⁰WITH.That is, this is the indicator in which he is able to ignite spontaneously. In this case, a greater amount of thermal energy is released than when burning any other type of fuel. Naturally, this could not affect the areas of use of this substance.

That is why many countries that do not have natural gas reserves are forced to import it from other countries. Transportation is carried out in several ways:

• by pipeline in gaseous state;
• in tanks on the sea route - in liquid form;
• in railway tank cars - liquefied.

Each path has its own advantages andlimitations. In particular, sea and rail options are safer, since the chemical activity of liquefied gas in cooled cylinders is much lower than in the gaseous state. The pipeline also increases the transmission distance and its volume, in addition, this method is economically viable.

Methane as part of natural gas

Methane gas is the main raw material componentin the composition of the natural mixture. Its content ranges from 70-98%. By itself, this is the third most common gas on the planet, which is part of oil, interstellar space, and the atmosphere of other planets.

In terms of chemistry, methane gas is the ultimatehydrocarbon, belonging to a number of saturated aliphatic compounds. The very first representative of alkanes or paraffins. Its chemical activity is low, it is quite calm. Able to react:

• substitutions;
• complete oxidation;
• conversion.

It burns with a colorless smokeless flame, has no smell.

Types of natural gas

There are three main types of substance in question.

1. Dry natural gas - this is one in which methane is more than 97%. That is, the content of impurities, including other hydrocarbons, is extremely low.
2. Lean gas. So called mixture containing a small amount of heavy hydrocarbons.
3. Combination gas - one that is rich in heavy hydrocarbons and inorganic components (nitrogen, hydrogen, helium, argon, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide).
   

Such a concept as the coefficient of gas dryness,allows you to assess the quality of raw materials from which products will be manufactured in the future. After all, natural gas itself is only a base. Different industries need their own product, so it is thoroughly processed and cleaned in accordance with specific requirements.

Product Quality

The quality of natural gas is directly dependent oncomposition. If methane prevails, then such a product will be the best as a source of fuel. If most of them are in the composition of fatty hydrocarbons, then for the chemical industry such raw materials are the most suitable.

To supply proper natural gasquality, there are special chemical plants where it undergoes thorough cleaning and processing before being sent to the final destination. The working methods will depend on the purpose for which the product is intended.

Так, например, если он будет использоваться для domestic purposes, then add special odorant substances to it, in particular mercaptans. This is done so that the gas will have a smell, because then in case of a leak it will be easy to detect. All mercaptans have a sharp unpleasant smell.

Natural gas use

Consumption of natural gas is carried out by many industries and facilities. For example:

• CHP.
• Boiler rooms.
• Gas engines.
• Chemical production (plastics and other materials).
• Fuel for cars.
• Heating of residential premises.
• Cooking food.

Therefore, the world production of this raw material is so high, and imports and exports are estimated at billions of dollars.

Ecological aspect

In terms of purity, there is no better nature.fuel source than natural gas. Environmental organizations fully endorse its use. However, in recent years, the combustion of natural gas leads to the accumulation of one of the reaction products, carbon dioxide.

And since it belongs to greenhouse gases, forthe planets of his cluster are very dangerous. Therefore, multiple work is underway, projects are being developed to protect the ecological state of the planet from the impending greenhouse effect.