Natural Gas Compressor Station Design
For many years natural gas compressor stations have been used to transport large volumes of natural gas over long distances, allowing power generation facilities, industrial users and local distribution companies to access the natural resources they need. The compressor station serves as a valuable asset to the energy industry, providing high reliability and economical energy delivery. To ensure the most efficient and safe operation of a natural gas compressor station, careful consideration must be given to design, maintenance and operations.
The efficiency of a natural gas compressor station depends on the quality of its design and the ability to choose the appropriate type of components. Compressor station design is a two-part process. First, the process requires an initial evaluation of the natural gas reserves and creation of the compressor station layout which determines the operating parameters, compressor selection, and layout of piping and equipment. Second, there must be ongoing performance monitoring and maintenance to ensure the most efficient and safe operation of the station.
The appropriate compressor station layout should be based on the natural gas reserves and the desired end-use requirements. For example, if the natural gas reserves are low-pressure, then a larger compressor station with multiple compressors is likely required; while a large-capacity high-pressure system might warrant a smaller single-compressor station. During the design phase, special consideration should be given to the types and sizes of compressors and other equipment needed, the piping required for all the components, and the operating parameters, such as pressure and temperature, that must be maintained.
In addition, it is important to consider safety requirements when designing a compressor station. Special emphasis should be placed on emergency systems, emergency shutdown systems, and uninterruptable power supply (UPS) systems. For a safe, reliable operation of the system, it is important to provide redundancy for emergency systems, as well as back-up components available in case of emergency. The emergency systems should also be tested on a regular basis to verify their proper functioning.
Once the compressor station design is complete, there should be ongoing proactive maintenance to ensure efficient and safe operation. It is critical to have a maintenance plan in place to detect and replace components and systems that are aging or malfunctioning. The maintenance plan should include preventive maintenance, as well as routine audits aimed at identifying issues before they become serious and affect system reliability.
In conclusion, natural gas compressor station design can be a complex process. Careful consideration should be given to the selection of the appropriate components, the appropriate design layout, the emergency systems and maintenance needed for proper functioning and safety. Once complete, maintenance should be regularly monitored to ensure the most efficient and safe operation of the station.
