S10 ORME 2 2016 - Technology_Layout 1 24/02/2016 14:57 Page 38
Technology
Keeping compressor emissions
under control The correct selection and maintenance of gridscale natural gas compressors – both positive displacement and centrifugal types – can reduce losses of methane and VOCs. S USE OF natural gas soars in the USA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched a research project into ways of cutting the level of emissions from the large compressors used to process, transmit and store this key commodity. Effort has been focused on methane and volatile organic compounds, and an exploratory White Paper (discussion document) was launched for peer review two years ago*. Local developments like the GCC’s undersea Dolphin scheme have focused attention on powering the expanding gas industry in
A
Increasing attention is being directed to reducing emissions from compressors (Photo: Budimir Jevtic / Shutterstock) a responsible way in the Middle East, too, so there is much to be learned about emissions mitigation from current research into the problem in the West. The main strength of this work-in-progress document is that it explains the technologies of large-scale compressor operation – both reciprocating and centrifugal types, irrespective of the source of power – for the benefit of utility operators who are not transmission specialists. This is done in the form of straightforward process
Local developments have focused attention on powering the expanding gas industry in a responsible way in the Middle East” descriptions accompanied by generic diagrams. These explain most of the terms and sub-components used in the gas industry. All US emissions figures for the different processes are presented for one recent year, reciprocating (positive displacement) equipment being the type of compressor most widely used at all stages. Readers should note that the interpretation of these figures in a fast-growing market is not straightforward.
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