USE OF PRESSURE ON THE GAS DISTRIBUTION STATIONS FOR POWER GENERATION AT PEAK PERIODS

Abstract

Before serving natural gas from the main gas pipeline to the consumer, he passes several stages of pressure reduction in the gas distribution stations. Reducing the pressure of natural gas is producing a significant amount of energy of cold. To prevent hydrate formation, gas is preheated to temperature which is guaranteed higher than expected point of hydrate formation on pressure reducer output. Reducing of pressure causes loss of potential energy, which was previously used for the compression of natural gas and in additional costs of natural gas for heating. If replace pressure reducer to expander, the energy from the gas pressure reducing can be partially repaired and used as the energy which was previously expended in compressing the gas. Negative factor of using of the expander is increase the temperature difference between its input and output to 5–8 times in comparison with the throttle, which requires increase to 7–11 times the volume of gas that is used to preheat the gas to an expander. For correct comparison, the authors carried out a fuel-economic calculation rational utilization pressure differential with the prices level of energy carriers in Ukraine in January 2016. Another positive factor in the production of electricity using the gas distribution stations is a partial compensation of peak loads on the electricity network of Ukraine, as natural gas consumption during peak periods also increases. Bibl. 8, Fig. 2, Tab. 2.