SUCCESS STORYMobile Compression: Gas turbine provides effective means to evacuate natural gas pipeline
Recover up to 80% of natural gas in pipeline without venting or maintenance.More About Vericor's ASE40B
The Challenge
Recover up to 80% of natural gas in pipeline section without venting
Vericor's Solution
Connect a 3MW or 3.5MW Gas Turbine Compressor to evacuate and bypass the fuel around a maintenance location
The Results
Over 15 years of reliable pulldown operation with follow-on order
Overview
The Vericor ASE40 has been deployed for over 35 years in a mobile pull- down compressor trailer owned and operated by a major North American pipeline company and a world leader in the use of mobile compressor technology for natural gas pipeline maintenance.
The ASE40 engine is direct mounted to and cantilevered from a centrifugal compressor on a single drop down heavy duty trailer and housed in a sound attenuated enclosure with a full cast of auxiliary support systems. This mobile trailer is capable of accessing natural gas pipelines in remote areas and in the harshest climates. The trailer is utilized across multiple stations throughout Canada and the United States as a means to evacuate gas out of pipeline segments that are scheduled for maintenance.
The pulldown trailer helps save approximately 70-80 per cent of the pipeline natural gas that otherwise would be released to the atmosphere. Due to its long term success of the initial trailer design, an additional trailer will be added to the fleet using Vericor’s latest industrial turbine, the ASE50B.
The ASE50B provides the next generation of mobile compressor trailers an additional 20% capability in performance over ASE40 and higher torque capability to maximize performance.
The ASE40 engine is direct mounted to and cantilevered from a centrifugal compressor on a single drop down heavy duty trailer and housed in a sound attenuated enclosure with a full cast of auxiliary support systems. This mobile trailer is capable of accessing natural gas pipelines in remote areas and in the harshest climates. The trailer is utilized across multiple stations throughout Canada and the United States as a means to evacuate gas out of pipeline segments that are scheduled for maintenance.
The pulldown trailer helps save approximately 70-80 per cent of the pipeline natural gas that otherwise would be released to the atmosphere. Due to its long term success of the initial trailer design, an additional trailer will be added to the fleet using Vericor’s latest industrial turbine, the ASE50B.
The ASE50B provides the next generation of mobile compressor trailers an additional 20% capability in performance over ASE40 and higher torque capability to maximize performance.
Case Study details and the benefit of an aero-derivative gas turbine
In the late 1970’s, the idea of a portable gas compressor was realized when a 3.0MW Vericor ASE40 engine was coupled to a Norwalk TC40 Centrifugal Compressor. This power-packed trailer evacuates pipelines for maintenance by transferring gas downstream to high pressure pipe sections exceeding pressures of 80 bar.
The compressor is a portable 8 staged centrifugal type with inter and after- coolers for providing high volumetric efficiency. With no need for external electrical connections, the trailer’s black start capability is ramped up quickly with an auxiliary power generator to turn the gas turbine starter.
The trailer operates on a standby basis, yielding very low gas turbine maintenance costs that are significantly below that of its reciprocating engine counterpart.
The Vericor Difference
Vericor’s ASE gas turbines are a proven aero-derivative design that are specifically configured for power generation and compressor drive applications.
Advantages of using these gas turbine systems for mobile mechanical drive applications are many:
• Compact size allows for easy on site installation and change out • Cantilever mount directly to powered equipment
• High operational readiness
• Fast cold start characteristics
• Low emissions and vibration
• Flexibility to efficiently burn a variety of fuels
• High reliability and low maintenance requirements
The modular nature of these engines allows for easy inspections on site. This ease of care approach simplifies stocking of spares and lowers downtime and maintenance periods. Recommended maintenance cycles for each ASE gas turbine are 30,000 hours for a hot section overhaul and 60,000 hours for a major overhaul.
Advantages of using these gas turbine systems for mobile mechanical drive applications are many:
• Compact size allows for easy on site installation and change out • Cantilever mount directly to powered equipment
• High operational readiness
• Fast cold start characteristics
• Low emissions and vibration
• Flexibility to efficiently burn a variety of fuels
• High reliability and low maintenance requirements
The modular nature of these engines allows for easy inspections on site. This ease of care approach simplifies stocking of spares and lowers downtime and maintenance periods. Recommended maintenance cycles for each ASE gas turbine are 30,000 hours for a hot section overhaul and 60,000 hours for a major overhaul.
Product Spotlight
ASE40B
The Vericor ASE40B aero-derivative industrial gas turbine is used for power generation and mechanical drive applications across a range of industries such as oil & gas, industrial, commercial and institutional.
