Fundamentals of Natural Gas Processing

Offering indispensable insight from experts in the field, Fundamentals of Natural Gas Processing, Third Edition provides an introduction to the gas industry and the processes required to convert wellhead gas into valuable natural gas and hydrocarbon liquids products including LNG. The authors compile information from the literature, meeting proceedings, short courses, and their own work experiences to give an accurate picture of where gas processing technology stands today as well as to highlight relatively new technologies that could become important in the future.

The third edition of this bestselling text features updates on North American gas processing and changing gas treating requirements due to shale gas production. It covers the international nature of natural gas trade, LNG, economics, and more. To help nonengineers understand technical issues, the first 5 chapters present an overview of the basic engineering concepts applicable throughout the gas, oil, and chemical industries. The following 15 chapters address natural gas processing, with a focus on gas plant processes and technologies. The book contains 2 appendices. The first contains an updated glossary of gas processing terminology. The second is available only online and contains useful conversion factors and physical properties data.

Aimed at students as well as natural gas processing professionals, this edition includes both discussion questions and exercises designed to reinforce important concepts, making this book suitable as a textbook in upper-level or graduate engineering courses.

The late Arthur J. Kidnay, PhD, PE, provided the inspiration for this book and co-wrote the first and second editions. He was professor emeritus in the chemical engineering department at the Colorado School of Mines.

William R. Parrish, PhD, PE, is a retired senior research associate. He spent 25 years in research and development at ConocoPhillips (formerly Phillips Petroleum Company) where he obtained physical properties data needed for new processes and for resolving operation problems.

Dr. Parrish represented his company on numerous technical advisory and research committees, including the Gas Processors Association’s Enthalpy Committee of Section F. Dr. Parrish received the Donald L. Katz award by the GPA Midstream Association in recognition of his outstanding research and teaching service to the industry. He also participated in Department of Energy peer review committees. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and is actively involved in professional engineer examination development. He has 49 technical publications and holds two patents. He teaches a continuing education course in gas processing to engineers and scientists from the natural gas industry.

Daniel G. McCartney, PE, has been involved with gas processing for over 50 years. He began his career with Warren Petroleum, which later was part of Chevron. He managed process engineering for Warren and provided gas processing engineering support throughout Chevron. Following retirement from Chevron, he joined Black & Veatch, where he provided technical expertise on gas processing, LNG, and sulfur projects. Subsequent to his retirement from Black & Veatch, he provides consulting and teaches a continuing education course in gas processing.

Mr. McCartney has contributed to the GPA Midstream Association for over 30 years and serves as chair of a research subgroup. He was awarded the GPA Citation for Service in recognition of his service to the gas processing industry. Mr. McCartney is a senior advisory board member at the Laurance Reid Gas Conditioning Conference. He has authored or coauthored a number of technical papers in the areas of gas processing and LNG and holds one patent.