MODELING THE HYDRODYNAMICS OF A MIXTURE OF NATURAL GAS & WATER IN A SUPERSONIC SEPARATOR

Natural gas is one of the major energy sources in the world. Its' major usage
includes power generation, as transportation fuel and as raw material to produce
ammonia and other petrochemical products.
BP Global (2011) stated that the world consumption of natural gas for the
past year has increased 7.4%. This is the highest increase since 1984. Among the
major importers of natural gas are UK, Japan and South Korea. Both Japan and
South Korea, who are the world's largest and second largest LNG importers
respectively, receive their supply from Malaysia.
As of January 2011, Malaysia has 83 Trillion Standard Cubic Feet (TSCF) of
natural gas in proven reserves, (Oil & Gas Journal, 2011). This places Malaysia in
the fourth place as the country in Asia Pacific with the most natural gas in reservoir.
The exploration and production activities in Malaysia are intensive and it is
estimated in 2010 that the gross natural gas production is 2.7 TSCF.
A typical composition of natural gas before it is refined contains
hydrocarbon, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide. Natural gas
production often produces water as well. This water must be removed as it can pose
many problems such as the formation of hydrates. Hydrates are solids formed by
methane, carbon dioxide and water. It can clog the pipelines, thus decreasing the
flow efficiency.
Furthermore, water can also combine with hydrogen sulphide and carbon
dioxide to form acid. This acid corrodes the pipelines transporting gas to onshore. As
a result, high cost is incurred as a special anti-corrosive material is needed to coat the
pipeline. To avoid these problems, water must be removed from natural gas.