Download - 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)