Vortex Pressure Reducing Station for Natural Gas Applications

Vortex Pressure Reduction Stations Transmission & Distribution Applications

(VPRS)

An application of the innovative technology of

Prepared by: Gasficient Consulting Services

© 2012 Universal Vortex, Inc. All Rights Reserved. UVI logo is used with permission

Copyright 2014 - Gasficient Consulting Services

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Overview of Conventional PRS Design

• Pressure reduction occurs using conventional pressure regulators

• Cooling due to Joule-Thomson effect can result in formation of internal ice & hydrates that can adversely effect regulators.

• External ice can also cause stress & damage• Joule-Thomson effect is typically

compensated for by pre-heating the gas using a natural gas fired or electric heater


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Vortex PRS with Thermal Conditioning

• Pressure Reduction is done using Vortex Pressure Reducers (VPR)

• VPR provide Non-Freeze Pressure Reduction thus eliminating the need for Pre-Heat

• Thermal Conditioning after Pressure Reduction by Warming the Cold Flow in Ambient Air Heat Exchangers


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VORTEX TUBE (VT) PRINCIPLE

• Cylindrical device to reduce the pressure (expand) pressurized gas

• During pressure reduction the released gas undergoes mass & energy separation

• Cold & hot flows form


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Use of a VT as a Pressure Reducer

• Pressure Regulator with Sensing Line upstream of VPR set to monitor VPR outlet pressure

• On/Off Valve opens to provide flow through VPR• Non-Freeze Pressure Reduction in VPR• Cold Outlet is warmed then combined with Hot Outlet


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Basic VPRS Configuration


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Indicative Example:• Inlet 100 barg, 20 C, 100% of Flow• Hot Outlet 10 barg, 50 C, 50% of Flow• Cold Outlet 10 barg, -25 C, 50% of Flow• Ambient Air Temperature 20 C used to warm cold flow to 15 C• Re-combined hot and cold flows 32.5 C• J-T is ~ 40 C so without Vortex Tube the combined flow would be -20

C

NB: Example is indicative and actual site specific conditions including gas specification must be considered


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Gas Management System Control

• The VGMS closely matches active VPR runs to flow rate so maximum pressure reduction occurs in the VPR runs

• Using a GMS it is possible to select VPR runs in any combination as required to match the cumulative VPR capacity with the required flow.

• Comprised of on/off solenoid valves, programmable logic controller (PLC), pressure and temperature transmitters


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Heat Exchangers

• For ambient air a finned tube heat exchanger is recommended

• Gas temperature is warmed to within 5 degrees of the ambient air temperature as it flows through the heat exchanger

• Run switching with a second heat exchanger may be required for "defrost" of the passive unit since ice may build up due to otherwise continuous flow of sub-zero gas

• Design Option is to use Hot Outlet for defrost


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Previous Installations


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VPR Included in Existing PRS


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Energy Savings & Environmental Benefits• VPRS may save fuel gas equivalent to

0.2% of total flow. For 1 MMSm3/day potential savings are:– 2,000 Sm3 per day or 730,000 Sm3 annually– 27000 MMBtu @ $10 = $270,000/year– Carbon Dioxide 1600 Tonnes/year– Sulphur Dioxide 0.008 Tonnes– Particulates 0.1 Tonnes

• For a Pipeline System multiply by the daily capacity to estimate potential savings


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Potential > $5 Million Annual Savings


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Conclusion

• Questions & Discussion

(VPRS are financially viable providing savings in fuel gas and greenhouse gas emissions

.......clean, green and affordable)

Vortex Pressure Reducing Station for Natural Gas Applications

Engineering

Transcript of Vortex Pressure Reducing Station for Natural Gas Applications