Infinite step control increases injection/withdrawal efficiency
Infinite Step Control (ISC) system at its Ellisburg station allows its compressors to operate at full engine horsepower regardless of changes in suction and discharge pressures, ambient conditions, or mechanical condition of the engine. Installation was part of the expansion program involving construction of the Independence station and expansion of the Ellisburg station, which shares the suction and discharge lines and underground storage facility with Consolidated Gas Supply Co. and Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co., who operate a considerably larger station nearby. This arrangement and the operation of a transmission compressor station by Tennessee Gas just 6 mi upstream of United Gas's Ellisburg station have put considerable strain on its compressors' operating efficiency, with pressure fluctuations as large as 100 psi in 15 min. The new ISC system, installed on two 2000-hp KUS engines, has solved the problem of low piston displacement in engine-compressors designed for high allowable rod load by allowing greater piston displacement throughout the operating range, thus increasing field deliverability. The control system operates by air signals, proportional to the torque of the engine, which are fed to the control console and transmitted through a hydraulic distributor, which times the high-pressure hydraulic pulses to individual inlet valve unloader mechanisms on the compressor cylinders. United Gas estimates that the ISC system has already improved its gas-handling capability 15% and relieved 2 full-time employees by allowing (1) 0-100% load adjustment (124% if ambient uprated), (2) engine operation at 100% torque (124% if ambient uprated) through widely fluctuating suction/discharge pressures, compressor ratios, and speed conditions available, (3) optimum fuel economy, (4) elimination of all non-reversing load problems, and (5) engine operation under optimum conditions.
- Research Organization:
- United Natural Gas Co., Oil City, PA
- OSTI ID:
- 5025817
- Journal Information:
- Pipe Line Ind.; (United States), Vol. 40
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
ON-LINE CONTROL SYSTEMS
EFFICIENCY
INJECTION
NATURAL GAS
OPERATION
PIPELINES
REMOVAL
TRANSPORT
CONTROL SYSTEMS
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
INTAKE
ON-LINE SYSTEMS
032000* - Natural Gas- Transport
Handling
& Storage