Energy Savings for Gas Preheating in the Gas Transport Sector with Air Dehumidification and Expansion Turbines
Abstract
In gas pressure regulating and metering stations (GPRMS) natural gas is reduced from high pressure to almost atmospheric pressure for the end consumer. To avoid, among others, freezing of pipelines and other components which the natural gas passes through, the gas is preheated before the throttling process. This work presents two technologies with the objective to reduce the primary energy demand for the preheating of the natural gas. The innovative concept of the combination of an expansion turbine with electrical heat pumps is introduced and the design strategies and primary energy savings are analysed for a chosen GPRMS. Further, the potential of primary energy savings by dehumidifying a GPRMS with an open liquid desiccant system is analysed based on measurement data.