Condensat

Condensat, or condensate, is a term used in physics, chemistry and the energy industry to denote a liquid that forms from a vapor. In general, condensat describes the liquid phase that separates from a vapor–gas mixture when the mixture is cooled or subjected to a drop in pressure, reaching the dew point.

In the natural gas industry, gas condensate refers to a light hydrocarbon liquid that drops out of the gas stream as gas cools or pressure falls. It is not the same as crude oil, though the exact composition varies; condensates typically consist mainly of low-molecular-weight hydrocarbons and have high API gravity and low sulfur content. Separation occurs in knock-out drums or surface separators, and the condensate is collected in tanks or pipelines for storage, transport, or processing as refinery feedstock or blending component.

In chemistry, condensation can describe a reaction in which two molecules join to form a larger molecule with the elimination of a small molecule, commonly water or methanol. The product of such a condensation, when isolated as a liquid, may be called a condensate. Condensation reactions are widely used in organic synthesis and polymer chemistry, including esterifications, amide formations and aldol condensations.

Condensates also form as surface coatings on cold surfaces or during distillation and can carry volatile organic compounds. Handling and storage require flammability considerations, appropriate materials of construction, and measures to minimize volatility and emissions. In energy operations, condensate management is part of gas processing, combined with stabilization and dew point control.