Exp no: 04

Exp Name:

Determination of Gas Compressibility Factor, Z & Gas

density, ρ using different methods.

Outcomes:
 The goal was to measure the compressibility factor ZZ for a chosen gas,
utilizing different methods and comparing the results to theoretical values.
 Applied the Carr-Kobayashi-Burrows correction method to adjust the
pseudo-critical properties of the gas.
 Applied the Wichert-Aziz correction method to adjust the pseudo-critical
temperature based on the concentration in the gas.
 Discrepancies were analyzed and discussed, attributing differences to
assumptions and limitations inherent in each method.

Theory:
The gas compressibility factor, symbolized as Z, is a vital
thermodynamic parameter that measures the extent to which a real gas deviates
from ideal gas behavior. Defined as the ratio of the molar volume of a real gas to
that of an ideal gas under the same temperature and pressure, Z equals 1 for an
ideal gas, indicating perfect adherence to the ideal gas law. However, real gases
exhibit non-ideal behavior due to intermolecular interactions and the finite volume
occupied by gas molecules, especially at high pressures and low temperatures.

When the value of Z is greater than 1, it implies that repulsive forces are
dominant, whereas a value less than 1 suggests that attractive forces prevail.
Understanding Z is crucial for accurate calculations in various fields, including
natural gas processing, chemical engineering, and reservoir engineering, as it
assists in predicting gas behavior under varying conditions and optimizing
processes. This knowledge is essential for designing and operating equipment such
as pipelines, compressors, and reactors efficiently. Thus, the determination of Z
plays a significant role in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of thermodynamic
and engineering calculations involving real gases.
Standing and Kartz compressibility factor chart

Standing and Katz (1942) introduced a generalized gas

compressibility factor chart, which represents the compressibility factors of sweet
natural gas as a function of reduced pressure (Ppr) and reduced temperature (Tpr).
This chart is generally reliable for natural gas containing minor amounts of
nonhydrocarbons. It remains one of the most widely accepted correlations in the oil
and gas industry.

Standing and Kartz compressibility factor

chart
There are two methods that were developed to adjust the pseudo-critical properties
of the gases to account for the presence of the nonhydrocarbon components.
These two methods are the:
• Wichert-Aziz correction method
• Carr-Kobayashi-Burrows correction method

Wichert-Aziz correction method:

Natural gases containing H2S and/or CO2 often exhibit different compressibility-
factor behaviors compared to sweet gases. Wichert and Aziz (1972) developed an
easy-to-use calculation procedure to account for these differences. This method
allows the use of the Standing-Katz chart by incorporating a pseudo-critical
temperature adjustment factor based on the concentrations of CO2 and H2S in the
sour gas. This correction factor is then used to adjust the pseudo-critical
temperature and pressure accordingly.

Where,
Tpc = Pseudo-critical temperature, °R
Ppc = Pseudo-critical pressure, psia
T´pc = Corrected pseudo-critical temperature, °R
p´pc = Corrected pseudo-critical pressure, psia
B = Mole fraction of H2S in the gas mixture
ɛ = Pseudo-critical temperature adjustment factor and is defined
mathematically by the following expression

A = yH2S + yC02
Carr-Kobayashi-Burrows correction method:

Carr, Kobayashi, and Burrows (1954) introduced a straightforward procedure to

adjust the pseudo-critical properties of natural gases in the presence of
nonhydrocarbon components. This method enhances the accuracy of gas
compressibility factor calculations, particularly for natural gas and other
hydrocarbon mixtures. Real gases often exhibit deviations from ideal behavior due
to intermolecular forces and non-ideal interactions, which can lead to inaccuracies
in the compressibility factor, Z. The Carr-Kobayashi-Burrows approach introduces
a correction factor that refines compressibility calculations based on empirical
correlations derived from experimental data. By applying this method, the
computed values of Z become more reflective of actual gas behavior under various
temperature and pressure conditions, thereby improving the reliability of
thermodynamic predictions and calculations in engineering applications.

Where,
T´pc = The adjusted pseudo-critical temperature, °R

Tpc = The unadjusted pseudo-critical temperature, °R

yCO2 = Mole fraction of CO2

yCO2 = Mole fraction of H2S in the gas mixture

yN2 = Mole fraction of Nitrogen

P´pc = The adjusted pseudo-critical pressure, psia

Ppc = The unadjusted pseudo-critical pressure, psia

Calculation:
A sour natural gas has a specific gravity of 0.7. The compositional analysis of the
gas shows that it contains 5 percent CO 2 and 10 percent H2S. Calculate the density
of the gas at 3500 psia and 160°F by using Wichert-Aziz correction method and
Carr-Kobayashi-Burrows correction method.

Solution:

Standing-Kartz Method:
Here,
T=160º F
P = 3500 Psia
γg = 0.7
Mair = 20.97
R = 10.73
T
Tpr =
T pc

P
Ppr =
P pc

Now we know,
Tpc = 168+325γg-12.5γg2
= 389.375º R
Ppc = 677+15γg-37.5γg2
= 669.125 Psia
T
...Tpr = T pc
( 160+460 ) ºR
= 389.375º R

= 1.59
 P
...Ppr = P pc
3500 Psia
= 669.125 Psia

= 5.23

Now,calculating the factor, Z by using Standing-Kartz compressibility

factor chart:

...Gas compressibility factor, Z = 0.86

Again,
Ma
γg = M air
...Ma = M = 0.7×28.97
 = 20.279
PM
...Density of the gas, ρ1 = ZRT
3500 ×20.279
= 0.86 ×10.73 ×(160+460)
= 12.40

Wichert-Aziz correction method:

Here,
T=160º F
P = 3500 Psia
γg = 0.7
Mair = 20.97
R = 10.73
A= 0.15
B= 0.1

Now we know,
Tpc = 168+325γg-12.5γg2
= 389.375º R
Ppc = 677+15γg-37.5γg2
= 669.125 Psia

ε = 120[(A)0.9-(A)1.6] + 15[(B)0.5-(B)4]
= 120[(0.15)0.9-(0.15)1.6] + 15[(0.1)0.5-(0.1)4]
= 20.735
T'pc = Tpc – ε
= 389.375 – 20.735
= 368.64º R
P pc ×T ' pc
P'pc = T pc + B (1−B)ε
(669.125)×(368.64)
= ( 389.375 ) +(0.1) ×(1−0.1)×(20.735)

= 630.471
T
... Tpr = T ' pc
( 160+460 ) ºR
= 368.64 º R

= 1.68
P
... Ppr = P ' pc
3500 Psia
= 630.471 Psia

= 5.55
... Gas compressibility factor, Z(from the chart) = 0.885

Again,
Ma
γg = M air

...Ma = M = 0.7×28.97
= 20.279

PM
...Density of the gas, ρ2 = ZRT
 3500 ×20.279
= 0.885 ×10.73 ×(160+460)

= 12.12

Carr-Kobayashi-Burrows correction method:

Here,
T=160º F
P = 3500 Psia
γg = 0.7
Mair = 20.97
R = 10.73
yCO2 = 0.05
yH2S = 0.1
yN2 = 0

Now we know,
Tpc = 168+325γg-12.5γg2
= 389.375º R
Ppc = 677+15γg-37.5γg2
= 669.125 Psia
T'pc = Tpc – 80yCO2 + 130yH2S – 250yN2
= 389.375 – 4 + 13 – 0
= 398.375º R
P'pc = Ppc + 440yCO2 + 600yH2S – 170yN2
= 669.125 + 22 + 60 – 0
 = 751.125 Psia
T
... Tpr = T ' pc
(160+ 460)ºR
= 398.375 ºR
= 1.55
P
.
. . Ppr = P ' pc
3500 Psia
= 751.125 Psia
= 4.65
... Gas compressibility factor, Z(from the chart) = 0.815
Ma
Again, γg = M air
...Ma = M = 0.7×28.97
= 20.279
PM
...Density of the gas, ρ3 = ZRT
3500 ×20.279
= 0.815 ×10.73 ×(160+460)
= 13.09

Result:
Following the calculations, we have determined the gas density
using three different methods, resulting in three distinct values. They
are:
• ρ1(using Standing-Kartz method) = 12.40
• ρ2(using Wichert-Aziz correction method) = 12.12
• ρ3(using Carr-Kobayashi-Burrows correction method) = 13.09

Discussion:
The determination of gas compressibility factor (Z) and gas density (ρ) using
different methods—Standing-Katz, Wichert-Aziz, and Carr-Kobayashi-Burrows—
yielded distinct values due to inherent differences in their approaches and
assumptions.
 The Standing-Katz method produced a gas density (ρ₁) of 12.40. This
method assumes sweet natural gas with minimal nonhydrocarbon impurities,
making it less accurate for gases with significant concentrations of CO₂ and
H₂S.
 The Wichert-Aziz correction method, accounting for the effects of CO₂
and H₂S concentrations, yielded a slightly lower density (ρ₂ = 12.12). This
reduction reflects the method’s ability to adjust pseudo-critical properties
based on specific impurity levels, leading to improved alignment with the
actual behavior of sour gases.
 The Carr-Kobayashi-Burrows correction method, designed to handle
diverse nonhydrocarbon components, provided a higher density (ρ₃ =
13.09). Its empirical corrections for pseudo-critical properties result in a
denser gas representation, particularly when H₂S concentrations dominate.
 Experimental and procedural limitations may also contribute to
discrepancies, such as imprecise interpretation of the compressibility factor
chart or rounding errors during calculations.
 Non-ideal gas behavior intensifies at higher pressures (3500 psia in this
case), making the accuracy of pseudo-critical adjustments critical.

However, the variation highlights the importance of selecting an appropriate

method based on gas composition. For sweet gases, Standing-Katz suffices, while
sour or mixed gases require methods like Wichert-Aziz or Carr-Kobayashi-
Burrows for accurate predictions. Future studies could involve experimental
validation of the theoretical results using actual gas samples to identify further
sources of error. Employing computational tools or software to minimize manual
chart interpretations could enhance the accuracy of Z and ρ determinations.