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What is the density of natural gas liquids?

Published in Natural Gas 2 mins read

While you're asking about the density of Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs), the provided reference specifically details the density of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). It's important to understand that LNG and NGLs are distinct components of natural gas streams, and their densities differ.

Density Information from the Provided Reference

The reference states the density range for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

LNG has a density of around 430 kg/m³ to 480 kg/m³ and a gross calorific value of around 54 MJ/kg to 56 MJ/kg depending on the composition.

Based on this reference, the density of LNG falls within the following range:

Substance Density Range (kg/m³) Source
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) 430 - 480 Provided Reference

Understanding Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs)

Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs) are hydrocarbons that are separated from natural gas during processing. They include components like ethane, propane, butane, and pentanes, which are heavier than methane (the primary component of LNG).

  • Ethane (C₂H₆)
  • Propane (C₃H₈)
  • Butane (C₄H₁₀, both n-butane and isobutane)
  • Pentanes (C₅H₁₂ and heavier hydrocarbons)

These NGLs are often liquefied and transported separately for various uses, such as fuels, heating, and petrochemical feedstocks.

Why NGL Density Differs from LNG Density

LNG is primarily methane (typically over 90%), which is a very light hydrocarbon. NGLs are heavier hydrocarbons. Because they are different chemical compounds with different molecular weights and structures, they have different physical properties, including density.

The density of NGLs is typically higher than that of LNG and varies significantly depending on the specific mixture of components present (e.g., the ratio of ethane, propane, butane, etc.). The provided reference does not specify the density of this mixture of NGLs.

Therefore, based strictly on the provided reference, the density information relates only to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), not Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs).

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