Digital control saves energy in gas pipeline compressors

Journal Article · Thu Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1982 · Instrum. Technol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6434238

Bogel, G D; Rhodes, R L

Advanced digital control systems are being used to meet the traditional operating challenges presented by pipeline compressors, resulting in significant opportunities for saving money, ensuring that delivery contracts are fulfilled, and minimizing the likelihood of damage caused by improper operating conditions. Digital computers, employed for compressor control since the early 1970s, provide speed and accuracy in continuous as well as logic control schemes. In addition, they can store precise families of operating curves for use in avoiding surge conditions and be programmed with optimizing setpoints for efficiency at arbitrary operating points. Efficiency improvements of 5% have been achieved using this approach for turbine-driven centrifugal compressors. Overall, computer optimization can save 15% of the fuel in a large reciprocating-compressor station - amounting to $315,000/yr in a 12,500-hp installation. For a new turbine-driven centrifugal station, 4% savings, or $92,000 annually, is practical; an older unit might yield 3% savings, or $96,000/yr.

• OSTI ID: 6434238
• Journal Information: Instrum. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Instrum. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 29; ISSN IRTCA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
032000* -- Natural Gas-- Transport
Handling
& Storage
COMPRESSORS
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
COMPUTERS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
COST
DIGITAL COMPUTERS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY SOURCES
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS COMPRESSORS
GAS FUELS
GASES
NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
OPTIMIZATION
PIPELINES
TRANSPORT