CHARACTERIZATION OF NIGER DELTA NATURAL GAS FOR METHANOL PRODUCTION

Abstract

This paper is focused on the characterization of natural gas sourced from the Niger Delta region. Samples were obtained from different fields in Delta state. Gas compositional analysis was performed to gain insights into its components and their relative proportions. The results of the gas chromatography analysis confirmed that the natural gas samples labeled as T004 and T034 contained 89.61% and 85.34% methane, respectively. Further research was conducted across various locations in the Niger Delta region, including the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited, Ughelli, and Utorogu fields, revealing an average methane content of 80%. This study explored natural gas composition through compositional analysis procedures, highlighting the concentrations of methane, ethane, propane, and other hydrocarbons. The primary objective was to assess the suitability of Niger Delta natural gas for methanol production through identification of methane content and the impurities that could influence methanol production yield. The presence of impurities can adversely affect the catalyst or trigger undesirable side effects, hence reducing methanol production efficiency and purity. Subsequently, simulation was conducted using Aspen Hysys software, utilizing the composition data obtained from both the analysis and existing literature.  The findings of this research confirm that Niger Delta natural gas possesses the necessary methane content required for methanol production.  This work contributes to the establishment of the feasibility of harnessing the natural gas resources within the Niger Delta region for efficient methanol production.

 

KEYWORDS: Niger Delta, Characterization, Natural Gas, Methanol.