Water Dewpoint Depression

Water dewpoint is the temperature at any given pressure at which the natural gas is saturated
with water. Because sales gas generally has a maximum water content specification in mass per
unit volume (e.g., 4 lbm/MMscf), it is necessary to determine from Fig. 5.7 the dewpoint
temperature at the contactor pressure. For example, if the treating pressure were 1,000 psia, then
the dewpoint temperature for 4 lbm/MMscf would be about 18F. If the treating pressure were
500 psia, the dewpoint temperature would be about 5F.

The overall objective of dehydration is to remove a sufficient amount of water from the natural
gas so that the specification for maximum allowable water content in the treated gas is met. If the
gas has not been processed, then the gas entering the glycol contactor is fully saturated with
water at the pressure and temperature of the separator ahead of the contactor. The dewpoint
depression to achieve is the lowering of the dewpoint temperature from the separator temperature
to a temperature at the separator pressure where the water content meets the specified limit for
the dehydrated gas. The next example shows the difference in dewpoint depression and the
amount of water to be removed per MMscf, if the gas is entering the glycol contactor at 90F and
at 1,000 psia or at 500 psia. The water content specification in this example is 4 lbm per MMscf
for the treated gas.

Examples of water dewpoint depression for two operating pressures are shown at 90F.
Water content at 1,000 psia and 90F =45 lbm/MMscf (Fig. 5.7).
Dewpoint temperature for 4 lbm/MMscf and 1,000 psia =18F (Fig. 5.7).
Water to remove =45 4 =41 lbm/MMscf.
Dewpoint depression =90F 18F =72F.
Water content at 500 psia and 90F =78 lbm/MMscf.
Dewpoint temperature for 4 lbm/MMscf and 500 psia =5F.
Water to be removed =78 4 =74 lbm/MMscf.
Dewpoint depression =90F 5F =85F.

Fig. 5.12
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