FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a system and method for emergency gas supply using transportable stations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Occurrences of temporary or long term shut down of a power plant, a industrial plant or a distribution area is a very expensive and uncomfortable mishap. Such shut downs are either unexpected (due to accidental breakdowns etc.) or scheduled maintenance shut downs and have severe impact on the profitability of the gas receiving stations and their customer reliability.

There is a great need in the filed of the present invention to minimize the time period of interrupted gas supply or stabilize the gas supply at timeframes with maintenance works at one of the redundant gas supply lines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a transportable system suitable for gas supply to any end user requiring gas supply with reduced pressure (for example industrial plant stations, city gate stations or power plant stations), thereby providing a pressure reduction and metering capabilities in case of a shut down of the main PRMS station.

A system of the invention may be used as bypass to the existing station, thus providing in a very short period of time (1 - 24hours, depending on the preparation of the existing stations) a gas supply at the required pressure.

Exemplary standards for a system of the invention:

Operating pressure upstream - High pressure up to 100 barg

Operating pressure downstream - High pressure up to 40 barg

Medium pressure up to 16 barg Low pressure up to 5 barg

Quantity - 50.000 Nm ³ /h

30.000 Nm ³ /h

10.000 Nm ³ /h

In some embodiments the application of a system of the invention includes a heating container. In other embodiments the application of a system of the invention does not include a heating container.

In one aspect of the invention there is provided a system comprising a gas pressure reducing and metering system for delivering natural gas to an end consumer from a high pressure source, wherein said system is mobile and/or transportable.

When referring to mobile and /or transportable system it should be understood to encompass any system of the invention which has a capability of being capable of moving or being moved, transferred or conveyed from one place to another.

In some embodiments said system comprises hoses and connectors adaptable to the end consumer piping system and to the high pressure source. Typical gas pressure reducing and metering systems include elements as shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the specification.

Such high pressure sources may include power plants, underground storage systems, industrial plants and any source that compresses natural gas in high pressure (more than PN 16 bar). End consumer may be any of industrial plant, residential CNG and so forth (using natural gas at a pressure of less than 4 bar (in some embodiments between 4 bar to 20mbar).

A method for emergency supply of natural gas to an end consumer, comprising connecting to a high pressure gas line a mobile and/or transportable system comprising a gas pressure reducing and metering system. Emergency supply of natural gas to end consumer may occur due to any event causing the stationary PRMS system to fail, thereby causing a shortage of supply to end users.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates the gas infrastructure.

Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary gas infrastructure in Germany.

Fig. 3 illustrates gas distribution system wherein a transportable system of the invention is implemented.

Fig. 4 illustrates an exemplary transportable system of the invention. Fig. 5 illustrates another exemplary transportable system of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a mobile and transportable system comprising a gas pressure reducing and metering system. Such a system is capable of delivering a supply of natural gas to consumers and gas transmission companies in short time periods at times when the PRMS (Pressure Reduction and Metering Station) is out of use (such as for example in emergency and/or shut down periods).

The invention further provides a method for overcoming a shut down in a PRMS station, comprising connecting to a high pressure gas line a transportable system of the invention. Natural gas pressure reducing and metering systems fulfill the task of reducing the transport pressure of the natural gas pipeline to a level of the end user or network area demand. Within these stations also a fiscal measurement is in operation for the accounting and billing of energy between the market partners.

Natural gas pressure reducing and metering systems are operated in a very large temperature and pressure range. For the supply security and technical security high demands are made, an uninterrupted and of ensuring the health and lives secure energy supply is mandatory.

The system of the present invention includes:

- For quick and easy adaptation to local conditions a station automation system is integrated into the station, the different pressure and flow ranges are centralized adjustable via a programmable logic controller at control board.

For the purpose of the simultaneous monitoring and control of the emergency station, if necessary, also a remote control system is created, which can be connected via the existing local transmission unit.

The adaptability of the system of the invention is externally increased by the fact that tailor-made modules are produced, which are able to proceed in parallel to increase the performance.

Special connection systems for natural gas and electricity are considered together with the emergency station tested and certified. Mechanically special high- pressure flexible hoses are used, which can be quickly installed and commissioned. Electrically a terminal box is integrated into the system, which is produced with special designed plug system for secured connections.

For the purpose of applications in various geographical regions, a gas analysis system is integrated via a Process Gas Chromatograph, to achieve a fiscal energy measurement, independent of the existing gas quality.

The conventionally produced gas pressure reducing and metering systems are designed for each specific application and can be adapted only by substantial conversion work to an other application. There are existing regulations in the respective countries of operation available (eg DVGW in Germany, British Gas standards in the UK; Stormwezen in the Netherlands, etc.), the overruling regulations in Europe and North America were founded to be followed in all areas of operation. The emergency station is planned in such a way that the overall rules are followed so that the use of rules in different areas with no change is possible.

Additionally the system of the invention comprises in some embodiments: an adjustable electronic system for various downstream pressure ranges, connection through the existing SCADA system, at site integrated in the PRMS, the emergency station has a remote control application

In some embodiments the system of the invention is scalable in flow rate and pressure to the existing requirements, internally via special control system and externally via modular designed and extendable system

In other embodiments the connection of the system of the invention to an existing line is performed via flexible hoses, designed for high pressure connections (for example up to 100 bar), is certified with the station and provides fast connection and commissioning process.

In further embodiment a system of the invention comprises an electrical plug connection to fulfill the ATEX requirements as well as the fast connection requirements. The operation of the system of the invention is not limited to a restricted time period. The system is usable also for permanent operation with additional required test procedures for fiscal metering requirements and extended maintenance workflow.

The station can be used in various distribution areas with various gas qualities, it has an integrated gas analyzing system.