Novel Pressure Reduction Station (Stage 1)

Completed

Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(Oil and Gas, Refining, transport and storage of oil and gas)

Applied Research and Development

PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Physics)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting
Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Environmental dimensions)

Project Contact
SGN

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 January 2014

01 January 2016

24 months

£90,568

Technical Consultancy

South East

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, SGN

The objectives of this study are to: Review current global technologies for energy recovery, pressure control and energy storage that can meet the elements of the complete performance specification. Analyse potential devices, sizing, performance and economic factors. Determine the most advantageous device/s to be integrated in new pressure reduction system designDelivery of a feasibility report that provides recommendations for future development. The success of this project will be reviewed against the following criteria: The identification of new potential devices and techniques. Evaluate the benefits and limitations of the new devices. The identification of the device/s which could provide the greatest benefits. Establishing the level of energy which can be potentially be recovered or recycled through different techniques.

SGN has a high percentage of below 7 bar pressure reduction stations that are over 30 years old and operate in harsh environmental conditions across our Scotland and Southern licence areas. The decision to replace or modify a pressure reduction station is based on many different criteria, the most important of which is safety, followed by security of gas supply. When existing stations are assessed for capacity or compliance against gas standards and policy documentation, they may be deemed not to meet the required criteria and ultimately require upgrading or replacement. While repair of stations would generally bethe preferred least cost option, this is not always possible as many of the key components of these installations such as the regulator and slam-shut valves ceased production some 10 to 15 years ago with the result that only limited spares are now available. This can force the replacement of many pressure reduction stations due to obsolescence. In the case where a replacement is proposed the cost can be considerable, as it is important that the installations are planned, designed, constructed and maintained safely, using the most effective methods, materials and techniques presently available. The basic concepts adopted for pressure control in the gas industry have not changed or been challenged in many years, despite many advances in technology. Considerable energy is presently lost in network pressure reduction, in an ideal design this energy would be recoverable and noise pollution reduced. The design and physical size of the pressure reduction station impacts on the selection of potential sites, purchase and use of land, and environmental restrictions. There is potential for significant improvement in the design of replacement pressure reduction stations. As a result, this project aims to investigate a radically novel pressure reduction station design. This project is concerned with exploring a new solution to regulate pressures below 7 bar in a more efficient and cost effective manner, and also reduce ongoing maintenance costs. A novel pressure reduction system design would incorporate processes to prevent gas at higher pressures entering a downstream system, have sufficient capacity, minimal maintenance requirements, would limit the size of the construction area required and would seek to harness the energy released through pressure reduction and minimise the need of preheating prior to pressure reduction. The benefits expected would be a reduction in the time operatives spend on site, improvements in safety and security of supply, and environmental improvements through energy efficiency and impact on land usage. This project is a feasibility study that will involve SGN collaborating with the University of Strathclyde Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering to undertake a detailed technical and economicassessment of currently available devices that can simultaneously recover energy and control pressure startingfrom basic engineering principles without preconceived constraints that will develop an innovative concept for pressure reduction.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above

17/09/18