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Why must liquefied natural gas be stripped of carbon dioxide and dried before liquefaction?

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natural gas The Troll A natural gas production platform in the North Sea, 80 km (50 miles) northwest of Bergen, Norway. Troll A, the largest movable structure ever built, rests on the seafloor some 300 metres (990 feet) below the surface and rises more than 100 metres (330 feet) above the sea. The platform regulates the recovery of gas from 40 wells located on the seafloor.

Natural gas must be stripped of carbon dioxide and dried before liquefaction to ensure the safety and efficiency of the process.

During the liquefaction process, natural gas is cooled to extremely low temperatures, approximately −160 °C (−260 °F). If water vapor is present in the gas stream, it can freeze and form icelike gas hydrates. These hydrates can cause significant operational difficulties, such as blocking equipment and pipelines, which must be prevented to ensure smooth processing and transportation.12

Similarly, removing carbon dioxide is a critical step in the liquefaction process to prevent it from solidifying and causing obstructions within the cryogenic systems as the gas is cooled to its liquefaction temperature. By removing these impurities, operators prevent mechanical failures and ensure that the liquefied natural gas can be safely stored and transported in specialized, insulated tankers.1