Quality

Quality appears to be a subjective notion. However, in the gas transmission sector the notion of gas quality is extensively quantified. Three aspects of quality are vital: the energy capacity of the gas (expressed in the calorific value), the concentration of impurities and the interchangeability of gases from different sources. DNV KEMA has split this field of expertise into two focal areas: gas quality and gas interchangeability.

Natural gas
Natural gas consists of methane and higher hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, some water, oxygen and sulphur compounds. Different geographical sources of natural gas often have different chemical compositions, which results in these gases having different “qualities”. The ongoing globalization of the gas supply leads to the introduction of different natural gases than those that have been traditionally distributed. To guarantee the integrity of the infrastructure and the safety for the end user, it is essential to measure the detailed composition of these “new” gases and understand the consequences of their introduction into the local gas supply.

Sustainable Gases
Another challenge faced by the gas supply is the introduction of sustainable gases such as biogases and hydrogen. Biogases contain chemical compounds that are usually not found in natural gases: high fractions of CO2, hydrogen and CO, and trace components such as halogen acids, ammonia and siloxanes. The properties of these gases differ from natural gas. DNV KEMA addresses the “quality” issues  to ensure a safe and efficient transition to a sustainable gas supply.