Techno-Economic Assessment of Turboexpander Application at Natural Gas Regulation Stations

Szymon Kuczyński, Mariusz Łaciak, Andrzej Olijnyk, Adam Szurlej and Tomasz Włodek
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Szymon Kuczyński: AGH University of Science and Technology, Drilling, Oil and Gas Faculty, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Mariusz Łaciak: AGH University of Science and Technology, Drilling, Oil and Gas Faculty, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Andrzej Olijnyk: AGH University of Science and Technology, Drilling, Oil and Gas Faculty, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Adam Szurlej: AGH University of Science and Technology, Drilling, Oil and Gas Faculty, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Tomasz Włodek: AGH University of Science and Technology, Drilling, Oil and Gas Faculty, 30-059 Krakow, Poland

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 4, 1-21

Abstract: During the natural gas pipeline transportation process, gas stream pressure is reduced at natural gas regulation stations (GRS). Natural gas pressure reduction is accompanied by energy dissipation which results in irreversible exergy losses in the gas stream. Energy loss depends on the thermodynamic parameters of the natural gas stream on inlet and outlet gas pressure regulation and metering stations. Recovered energy can be used for electricity generation when the pressure regulator is replaced with an expander to drive electric energy generation. To ensure the correct operation of the system, the natural gas stream should be heated, on inlet to expander. This temperature should be higher than the gas stream during choking in the pressure regulator. The purpose of this research was to investigate GRS operational parameters which influence the efficiency of the gas expansion process and to determine selection criteria for a cost-effective application of turboexpanders at selected GRS, instead of pressure regulators. The main novelty presented in this paper shows investigation on discounted payback period (DPP) equation which depends on the annual average natural gas flow rate through the analyzed GRS, average annual level of gas expansion, average annual natural gas purchase price, average annual produced electrical energy sale price and CAPEX.

Keywords: natural gas; natural gas regulation station; turboexpander; pressure regulator; energy recovery; energy conversion; energy system analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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