Analysis of methods for improving the efficiency of “Iceberg” gas air coolers

Abstract

Russia has the largest volume of natural gas reserves in the world. Recoverable natural gas reserves amount to about 67 trillion cubic meters, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation for 2023. In recent years, the development of the Unified Gas Supply System has been growing rapidly. Since 2021 the Government of the Russian Federation has been actively introducing draft laws and regulations related to the scaling of the country’s gasification. In June 2021 came out the Federal Law No. 184-FZ, which instructed the Government of the Russian Federation to adopt regulations aimed at implementation of provisions of free gasification of the country [1]. In September 2021 there was issued Decree No. 1547, [2] approving the new Rules for connecting gas-using equipment and capital construction facilities to gas distribution networks, which introduces the concept of pre-gasification. It is worth noting that new gas mains, compressor stations (CS) are put into operation, active reconstruction of the existing shops with exhausted gas compressor units (GCU) is carried out. One of the most urgent issues of the gas industry today is the efficient use of energy resources. Besides using the energy of flue gases from gas turbine drive of GPA, energy at gas throttling at gas distribution stations and other methods of energy saving, the significant role is played by the effective operation of air coolers of gas (ACG), the operation of which affects the reliable transportation of gas in the main gas pipeline (MG). The paper analyzes the methods of technical condition of gas air cooling devices of “Iceberg” type operated at the production site of the booster compressor station of “Gazprom Dobycha Nadym” LLC. The thermal efficiency of air coolers with all fans turned on and off was determined for the coldest and hottest months of the year. The electric energy savings of the frequency controlled drive (VFD) were calculated.