Naturally occurring gas today serves as the most important source of energy. All gaseous combustible compounds from the bowels of the earth are odorless, contain many impurities that affect the density of natural gas.
Such gases do not have the usual physical indicators for humans - taste, color, smell - by which we are able to determine their presence. Nevertheless, they are characterized by characteristic indicators, such as: density, combustion temperature, calorific value, composition, maximum concentration for explosion, pressure during the explosion.
Among many significant physical indicators, one can say about the density of natural gas. This value is calculated as the ratio of mass to its volume and is written by the formula r = t / V. The density of natural gas under normal conditions is in the range from 0.73 to 0.85 kg / m3.
Gas features
Produced from deposits, it consists of methane in the range of 82-98% of the total mass, often with impurities of other hydrocarbons. Combustible gas also contains non-combustible substances: oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water vapor. Immediately after pumping from the bowels, the gas is freed from toxic hydrogen sulfide, bringing its content to an acceptable 0.02 g / m3. The highest density of natural gas is created by the content of non-combustible mixtures of N 2 , CO 2 , H 2 S or heavy hydrocarbons. The lowest indicators give dry methane environments. It is well known that an increase in the indicator of physical quantity entails an increase in the temperature of hydrate formation. Although light in weight, hydrates can also be produced. At high reservoir pressure , gas is liquefied in the reservoir, and such a field is called gas condensate.
Compared to other types of fuel (solid, liquid), natural gas, the density of which entirely depends on its composition, is beneficial in several respects:
- low cost - as a result of a much easier method of extraction and transportation;
- during combustion, ash and solid particles are not formed;
- relatively high calorific value;
- there is no need for preliminary preparation of blue fuel for burning;
- significantly facilitates the work of staff;
- the sanitary conditions of workers are significantly improved;
- simplified conditions for the automation of technical processes.
In everyday life, there are cases when the gas pressure on the upper floors of the house runs the risk of being greater than on the lower. This is because the air density index is much higher compared to a combustible medium. At altitude, the static air pressure decreases greatly, and the gas pressure decreases weaker.
Density Measurement Methods
The density of natural gas is determined by laboratory methods. Due to the technical and economic feasibility it can be calculated in the following ways:
- manually;
- using tables, graphs, charts;
- using computers and automated devices.
The most accurate method is to place the test sample in a thin-walled glass bottle with further weighing on an accurate balance. There are also special instruments that measure the density of natural gas. These are densitometers of the most diverse type - vibrational, pycnometric, acoustic, areometric, radiation and others. Among them, the Solartron 7812 and Solartron 3098 models are very famous. They are capable of providing continuous measurement in the stream. Typically, these models are used in systems for commercial gas accounting.