Thermodynamics Behind Rigorous Flared Gas Monetization Analysis

Associated gas is routinely flared when there are no practical options to sell or use the gas. Many technologies exist that attempt to convert flared gas into sellable products, but the effectiveness of those technologies is inconsistent. The objective of this project was to identify the best approach to monetize flared gas from particular sites in the Uintah Basin within central US, with the goal of reducing the most emissions and creating the highest revenue. Dozens of gas monetization technologies were considered at the onset of the project, including gas to power, compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquid fuels, and specialty chemicals. To help determine the performance of each technology they were evaluated using a rigorous thermodynamic techno-economic analysis to determine how much revenue the technology would generate and emissions it would reduce. The analysis relied on simulating process efficiencies of each of the different technologies when applied to representative flaring gas volumes and compositions. The developed simulations also included any utility, pretreatment, or post-treatment requirements in the field. Analysis of the costs to install and operate the equipment, the emissions created by that equipment, and the revenue generated by selling the final product identified which technology was best suited for considered locations. Shown in Fig. 1 is the generalized workflow concept of building the process simulation model from a working facility installation. Effort was also made to match the performance, utility usage, and efficiencies across multiple feed compositions and volume rates. This way specific feed gas analysis of a studied opportunity would be most accurately represented.