초록 ▼

For storage of natural gas at pressures over 1,000 psia, it is advantageous to add to natural gas an additive which is a C.sub.2 or C.sub.3 hydrocarbon compound, or a mixture of such hydrocarbon compounds. Above a lower limit (which varies with the additive being added and the pressure), there is a

For storage of natural gas at pressures over 1,000 psia, it is advantageous to add to natural gas an additive which is a C.sub.2 or C.sub.3 hydrocarbon compound, or a mixture of such hydrocarbon compounds. Above a lower limit (which varies with the additive being added and the pressure), there is a decrease in the amount of power needed to compress the mixture. For storage or pipeline transportation of natural gas at pressures over 800 psia, it is advantageous to add ammonia to the natural gas, in an amount such that the ammonia does not create a liquid phase at the temperature and pressure used. The ammonia-natural gas mixture can be compressed or pumped with a lower energy expenditure than would be needed for an equivalent volume of natural gas alone. When more than 4% by volume of ammonia is present, the pumping through pipelines is also aided by the refrigerant effect of the ammonia, which reduces the temperature of the gas being transported. Instead of ammonia, hydrogen fluoride or carbon monoxide can be added to the natural gas, but these are less preferred than ammonia.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim as our invention:] [1.]1. A method of storing natural gas, which comprises(a) admixing the natural gas with one or more hydrocarbons selected from the group of saturated and unsaturated C.sub.2 and C.sub.3 hydrocarbons, to form a resulting mixture, the amount of said one or more hydrocarb

[ We claim as our invention:] [1.]1. A method of storing natural gas, which comprises(a) admixing the natural gas with one or more hydrocarbons selected from the group of saturated and unsaturated C.sub.2 and C.sub.3 hydrocarbons, to form a resulting mixture, the amount of said one or more hydrocarbons being sufficient so that the product of the z factor and the molecular weight of the resulting mixture is lower than the product of the z factor and the molecular weight for natural gas alone at the pressure at which the mixture will be stored, and(b) storing said resulting mixture at a temperature not exceeding 110.degree. F. and a pressure of at least 1000 psia, in the absence of a coherent liquid phase.