GB2084653A

GB2084653A - Generation of electricity from natural gas

Info

Publication number: GB2084653A
Application number: GB8107732A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-09-29
Filing date: 1981-03-12
Publication date: 1982-04-15
Also published as: NO811196L

Abstract

Natural gas from a reservoir is delivered under pressure through a pipeline to one or more distribution centers. Enroute to such distribution centers some of the gas is diverted from the pipeline to drive one or more gas turbines which are coupled to alternators or generators capable of generating electricity. Following passage through the gas turbines the natural gas is returned to the pipeline and continues its travel toward the distribution centers.

Description

SPECIFICATION Generation of electricity from natural gas Commercial electrical power generating plants conventionally combust coal, natural gas, oil, or other fuel to convert water to steam which is then used to drive steam turbines which, in turn, drive alternators or generators for the production of electricity. In such plants massive quantities of fuel are combusted in the conversion of water to steam. The combustion of such quantities of fuel necessitates the provision of complex and expensive equipment for preventing the pollution of air. In addition, once the fuel has been consumed in the production of steam none of the fuel's energy is recoverable.

In typical power generating plants of the kind referred to considerable expense is encountered in providing and maintaining the equipment necessary to contain and direct the flow of steam and condensate. In addition, provisions must be made for recirculating the condensate to avoid waste and possible pollution of areas adjacent the power generating plant. Furthermore, means must be provided for cleansing and otherwise conditioning the condensate to enable its reuse in the production of steam.

In many areas of the world there are wells from which oil and gas or gas is only extracted. Many such wells have an internal pressure sufficient to enable the contents to pass out of the well and be transported through a pipeline to a reservoir or distribution center.

Natural gas flowing through a pipeline may be maintained under greatly varying pressures ranging from several hundred to several thousand pounds per square inch. Electrical power generating mechanisms are adapted to be driven by steam or gas turbines which are capable of being operated by steam or gas at several hundred to several thousand pounds per square inch. It is possible, therefore, to divert natural gas from a pipeline to a gas turbine for driving the latter and to couple the turbine to an alternator or generator for the production of electrical power. Once the gas has passed through the turbine it may be returned to the pipeline without loss and continue its passage to reservoirs or distribution centers.

The advantages of the utilization of pressurized natural gas to drive turbines which in turn drive electrical power generating means are multiple. For example, the gas is not consumed, thereby resulting in conservation of fuel. Further, since the gas is not being burned, the generation of heat due to fuel combustion is avoided. Since operation oftheturbines does not depend upon steam, the consumption and polution of water are avoided, as is the need for complex steam and condesate control apparatus.

Appartus and methods according to the invention enable the diversion of natural gas transported via a pipeline to a gas turbine that is coupled to an electrical power generator or alternator. Electrical power thus generated may be delivered to distribution lines in the conventional manner, whereas the natural gas is returned to the pipeline for delivery to a reservoir or distribution center. It is contemplated that an electrical power generating plant may be located at numerous sites along a gas pipeline transportation system.

The drawing is a schematic diagram illustrating appartus for generating electrical power by uliizing gas from a transportation pipeline.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing is adapted for use with a pipeline 30 through which processed natural gas is transported from a reservoir 31 under pressure. At a selected point on the pipeline 30 is a diversion valve 33 which may be operated to divert some or all of the gas flowing through the pipeline 30 to a branch pipe 34 in which is an on-off valve 35 and a pressure reg ulator 36. The branch pipe 34 is coupled to a gas pipe 37 which communicates in succession through a selected number of gas turbines 38, each of which is drivingly coupled to an electrical generator or alternator 39.

On the upstream side of the first turbine 38 is an on-off valve 40 and at the downstream side of each turbine is a check valve 41 which prevents reverse flow of gas through the associated turbine. The pipe 37 is joined at its downstream end of a pipe 42 which is joined to the pipeline 30.

A bypass line 43 spans the pipe 34 and 42 and has a branch 44 between each adjacent pairofturbines 38 which communicates with the gas line 37 via on-off valves 45 so as to permit any selected number of the turbines to be operated or bypassed. An on-off valve 46 is provided at the upstream end of the bypass line 43 and a check valve 47 is provided at its downstream end for controlling the flow and the direction of flow of gas through the bypass line 43.

The generators 39 are connected by conductors 48 to the primary side of one or more transformers 49, the secondary side of each transformer being connected by conductors 50 to power distribution lines 52 through a meter51.

The electrical power generating apparatus may be fixed in place or mobile. The relative permanence of the tranmission pipeline 30 makes quite feasible construction of a large and permanent power generating plant adjacent the pipeline.

The number of turbine-generator assemblies utilized may be as numerous as the pipeline pressure of the gas can accommodate.

A considerable advantage of the disclosed embodiment is that none of the natural gas is consumed, nor is its character or quality changed in any way.

Further, no force other than the pipeline pressure of the gas itself is required for the operation of the system.

1. In a natural gas system wherein natural gas flows through a pipeline under pressure, the improvement comprising at least one gas turbine; means for diverting gas from said pipeline to said turbine to drive the latter; electrical power generating means coupled to and driven by said turbine; means for returning gas from said turbine to said pipeline; and means for distributing electrical power from said generating means.

2. A system according to claim 1 including a

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Generation of electricity from natural gas Commercial electrical power generating plants conventionally combust coal, natural gas, oil, or other fuel to convert water to steam which is then used to drive steam turbines which, in turn, drive alternators or generators for the production of electricity. In such plants massive quantities of fuel are combusted in the conversion of water to steam. The combustion of such quantities of fuel necessitates the provision of complex and expensive equipment for preventing the pollution of air. In addition, once the fuel has been consumed in the production of steam none of the fuel's energy is recoverable. In typical power generating plants of the kind referred to considerable expense is encountered in providing and maintaining the equipment necessary to contain and direct the flow of steam and condensate. In addition, provisions must be made for recirculating the condensate to avoid waste and possible pollution of areas adjacent the power generating plant. Furthermore, means must be provided for cleansing and otherwise conditioning the condensate to enable its reuse in the production of steam. In many areas of the world there are wells from which oil and gas or gas is only extracted. Many such wells have an internal pressure sufficient to enable the contents to pass out of the well and be transported through a pipeline to a reservoir or distribution center. Natural gas flowing through a pipeline may be maintained under greatly varying pressures ranging from several hundred to several thousand pounds per square inch. Electrical power generating mechanisms are adapted to be driven by steam or gas turbines which are capable of being operated by steam or gas at several hundred to several thousand pounds per square inch. It is possible, therefore, to divert natural gas from a pipeline to a gas turbine for driving the latter and to couple the turbine to an alternator or generator for the production of electrical power. Once the gas has passed through the turbine it may be returned to the pipeline without loss and continue its passage to reservoirs or distribution centers. The advantages of the utilization of pressurized natural gas to drive turbines which in turn drive electrical power generating means are multiple. For example, the gas is not consumed, thereby resulting in conservation of fuel. Further, since the gas is not being burned, the generation of heat due to fuel combustion is avoided. Since operation oftheturbines does not depend upon steam, the consumption and polution of water are avoided, as is the need for complex steam and condesate control apparatus. Appartus and methods according to the invention enable the diversion of natural gas transported via a pipeline to a gas turbine that is coupled to an electrical power generator or alternator. Electrical power thus generated may be delivered to distribution lines in the conventional manner, whereas the natural gas is returned to the pipeline for delivery to a reservoir or distribution center. It is contemplated that an electrical power generating plant may be located at numerous sites along a gas pipeline transportation system. The drawing is a schematic diagram illustrating appartus for generating electrical power by uliizing gas from a transportation pipeline. The embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing is adapted for use with a pipeline 30 through which processed natural gas is transported from a reservoir 31 under pressure. At a selected point on the pipeline 30 is a diversion valve 33 which may be operated to divert some or all of the gas flowing through the pipeline 30 to a branch pipe 34 in which is an on-off valve 35 and a pressure reg ulator 36. The branch pipe 34 is coupled to a gas pipe 37 which communicates in succession through a selected number of gas turbines 38, each of which is drivingly coupled to an electrical generator or alternator 39. On the upstream side of the first turbine 38 is an on-off valve 40 and at the downstream side of each turbine is a check valve 41 which prevents reverse flow of gas through the associated turbine. The pipe 37 is joined at its downstream end of a pipe 42 which is joined to the pipeline 30. A bypass line 43 spans the pipe 34 and 42 and has a branch 44 between each adjacent pairofturbines 38 which communicates with the gas line 37 via on-off valves 45 so as to permit any selected number of the turbines to be operated or bypassed. An on-off valve 46 is provided at the upstream end of the bypass line 43 and a check valve 47 is provided at its downstream end for controlling the flow and the direction of flow of gas through the bypass line 43. The generators 39 are connected by conductors 48 to the primary side of one or more transformers 49, the secondary side of each transformer being connected by conductors 50 to power distribution lines 52 through a meter51. The electrical power generating apparatus may be fixed in place or mobile. The relative permanence of the tranmission pipeline 30 makes quite feasible construction of a large and permanent power generating plant adjacent the pipeline. The number of turbine-generator assemblies utilized may be as numerous as the pipeline pressure of the gas can accommodate. A considerable advantage of the disclosed embodiment is that none of the natural gas is consumed, nor is its character or quality changed in any way. Further, no force other than the pipeline pressure of the gas itself is required for the operation of the system. CLAIMS

2. A system according to claim 1 including a plurality of said gas turbines and a corresponding plurality of said generating means, and means for conducting gas from said one turbine successively to the others of said turbines.

3. A system according to claim 2 including a gas line bypassing all of said turbines, and means for selectively enabling and disabling gas from said pipeline to be delivered to any selected number of said turbines.

4. In a process of generating electrical power by means of rotary generating means driven by gas turbine means, the improvement comprising causing natural gas to flow under pressure through a pipeline; diverting gas from said pipeline to said turbine means at a pressure adequate to enable said turbine means to operate said generating means; recovering said natural gas following its exhaust from said turbine means; and returning the recovered gas to said pipeline.

5. The process according to claim 4 wherein said turbine means comprises a plurality of individual turbines, and including diverting gas from said pipeline to a selected number of said turbines.

6. A system substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

7. A process substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawing.