How does a natural gas compression station work?

Natural Gas Compressors work by mechanically increasing gas pressure in stages (or steps) until it reaches the desired delivery point. The starting pressure and the desired ending pressure will determine how many stages a compressor will have.

Why are compressor stations used on natural gas pipelines?

Compressor stations enable the natural gas itself to travel through the pipelines which is crucial to the natural gas transport system. They also allow the gas to be rerouted into storage areas during periods of low demand.

Which way does natural gas flow?

Gas flowing from higher to lower pressure is the fundamental principle of the natural gas delivery system. The amount of pressure in a pipeline is measured in pounds per square inch.

What is the range of each natural gas pipeline compressor station?

From extraction to point of use, natural gas travels through pipelines. These pipelines can reach thousands of kilometers in length. To offset the natural pressure losses during transportation, pipelines require a compressor station every 200 km or so.

What happens to the gas when it is compressed?

When gas is compressed, the volume of the gas decreases pressures increases at a constant temperature.

Why is gas cooled after compression?

Since compression generates heat, the compressed gas needs to be cooled between stages, making the compression less adiabatic and more isothermal. The compressed gas from the compressor is hot after compression, often 70-200°C. An aftercooler is used to lower the temperature, which also results in condensation.

How often do compression stations leak gas?

While the compressor is depressurized, leakage can continue from the unit isolation valves, which are estimated to leak at an average rate of 1.4 Mcf/hour. When a compressor is fully pressurized, methane can leak from the closed blowdown valve and the compressor rod packings.

How much pressure is in a natural gas pipeline?

Natural gas is compressed in transmission pipelines to pressures typically ranging from 500 to 1400 pounds of pressure per square inch.

How is natural gas pressurized?

Compressor Stations As mentioned, natural gas is highly pressurized as it travels through an interstate pipeline. To ensure that the natural gas flowing through any one pipeline remains pressurized, compression of this natural gas is required periodically along the pipe.

What is the pressure in a natural gas line?

The natural gas pressure of the gas line leading to the home ranges from approximately 1/4 psi to 60 psi, depending on the number of homes or businesses served by the line. This compares to pressures of up to 1,500 psi for large-volume pipelines used to move the gas from the well fields to the local utilities.