Accurate BTU determination crucial for SoCalGas metering

Journal Article · Fri Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · Pipeline and Gas Journal; (United States)

OSTI ID:6844067

Watts, J

Every year, billions of cubic feet of natural gas flow into and through the transmission and distribution system of Southern California Gas Co., Los angeles. All gas purchased and sold by SoCalGas is done on an energy basis. Crucial to the company's measurement activities is determining the energy content of gas acquired from various pipelines and producers, and the energy content of the gas sold to millions of customers. Supply sources include offshore gas fields, onshore production and several pipeline suppliers, all with a varying degree of BTU content. The energy content of natural gas generally varies from the conventional 1,000 BTU per cubic foot. Keeping track of the energy content of the natural gas across SoCalGas' vast service territory is a complex task that relies on recent advances in gas sampling technology and the dedication of company employees. The gas company uses sophisticated DynaPak 2010 on-line gas samplers from YZ Industries, Snyder, Texas, that acquire small natural gas samples on a regular basis from the pipeline stream. The energy content of the gas in the sample cylinders is determined with gas chromatographs, and the resulting information is coordinated with standard pressure measurements from volume meters to determine gas bills for customers.

• OSTI ID: 6844067
• Journal Information: Pipeline and Gas Journal; (United States), Journal Name: Pipeline and Gas Journal; (United States) Vol. 221:7; ISSN PLGJAT; ISSN 0032-0188
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
032000* -- Natural Gas-- Transport
Handling
& Storage
42 ENGINEERING
420205 -- Engineering-- Transport & Storage Facilities-- (1980-)
CALIFORNIA
CALORIFIC VALUE
COMBUSTION PROPERTIES
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GAS UTILITIES
GASES
METERING
NATURAL GAS
NORTH AMERICA
ON-LINE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS
ON-LINE SYSTEMS
PERFORMANCE
PIPELINES
PUBLIC UTILITIES
TRANSPORT
USA