Fundamentals of Pressure

Regulation

Gas engineering II
Supplementary Msc. Course, 1st term
Copyright by Wojciech J. Kostowski, PhD
Institute of Thermal Technology

The natural gas transportation system

based on a pipeline network
Gas Well

Compressor Stations
Transmission
High pressure

Pressure regulator
the key element of the
pressure reduction station
(PRS)

Distribution

Consumers

Medium +
Medium
Low Pressure

The distribution system has a low accumulation capacity

Copyright 2008 by Wojciech Kostowski / Institute of Thermal Technology, SUT

Functions of a pressure regulator

The primary function of a pressure regulator is to
match the flow of gas through the regulator to
the demand for gas at the consumers.
At the same time, the regulator must maintain the
outlet pressure within certain acceptable limits

Copyright 2008 by Wojciech Kostowski / Institute of Thermal Technology, SUT

Key elements of a pressure regulator

Restricting element
Loading element (loading force)
Measuring element

Copyright 2008 by Wojciech Kostowski / Institute of Thermal Technology, SUT

Restricting element
The restricting element provides a
variable restriction that can modulate
the flow of gas through the regulator.

Copyright 2008 by Wojciech Kostowski / Institute of Thermal Technology, SUT

The loading element

The loading element
provides forces to
displace the restricting
element
The most common
type of a loading
element is a
combination of a
diaphragm actuator
and a spring.
Copyright 2008 by Wojciech Kostowski / Institute of Thermal Technology, SUT

The measuring element

The measuring
element allows the
loading element to
work properly, i.e.
to match the flow
and the pressure
requirements
A diaphragm can act
as a measuring
element
Copyright 2008 by Wojciech Kostowski / Institute of Thermal Technology, SUT

The spring loaded and

the pilot operated regulators

Spring loaded regulators

(direct action)
The closing force is generated by
the gas outlet pressure
The main diaphragm is a measuring and
a loading element
Application: small PRSs, boiler houses
+ reaction time, robust construction,
price
pressure regulation class (membrane
effect, spring effect*)
Copyright 2008 by Wojciech Kostowski / Institute of Thermal Technology, SUT

Pilot operated regulators

(indirect action)
The closing force is generated by
the loading pressure originating
from the gas inlet pressure, the
outlet pressure is only used to
adjust the loading pressure
The measuring and the loading
elements are separated
Application: PRSs, Gas Turbines
+ Regulation class 0.5%, a higher
closing class
Reaction time, construction, price
Copyright 2008 by Wojciech Kostowski / Institute of Thermal Technology, SUT

Pilot operated regulators

the operating principle
Construction: loading element, measuring
element (pilot), interstage regulator, nozzle
How p2 acts on the loading element?
A) allowing more gas to flow into the green
volume (the loading pressure )
B) releasing gas from the green volume (the
loading pressure )

Copyright 2008 by Wojciech Kostowski / Institute of Thermal Technology, SUT

Overpressure protection
What is overpressure protection?
Relief valve
Shut-off valve
Monitor regulator
All methods can be realized based on independent
devices or by devices integrated with the regulator
Copyright 2008 by Wojciech Kostowski / Institute of Thermal Technology, SUT

Relief valve
Function: to release gas to the atmoshpere if
the outlet pressure p2 exceeds a certain limit.
The pressure at
which the valve
goes into operation
is set by the initial
spring compression

Copyright 2008 by Wojciech Kostowski / Institute of Thermal Technology, SUT

Shut-off valve

Function: completely shutt of the flow if p2 exceeds its limit(s)

Copyright 2008 by Wojciech Kostowski / Institute of Thermal Technology, SUT

A system with
a monitor regulator

Monitor regulator
2.5 kPa

Working regulator
2.4 kPa

The monitor regulator is set at a slightly higher pressure

Under normal operation the monitor regulator is just
an opened valve
In the case of the active regulator failure, the pressure
regulation is taken over by the monitor regulator
Copyright 2008 by Wojciech Kostowski / Institute of Thermal Technology, SUT

Definitions of pressure levels

The term pressure stands traditionally for gauge pressure

Operating pressure
Working pressure for continuous operation under normal
conditions
Lowest operating pressure (LOP)
Maximum operating pressure (MOP)

TOP Temporary Operating Pressure

The maximum pressure that the PRS will provide to the consumers
system when operating on a monitor regulator.
This is a temporary situation, which should only occur
following a failure of the active regulator

Copyright 2008 by Wojciech Kostowski / Institute of Thermal Technology, SUT

Definitions of pressure levels

MIP Maximum Incidental Pressure
The maximum pressure which a system is permitted to
experience under fault conditions limited by safety
devices

DP Design Pressure
The pressure applied for the mechanical design of an
installation

STP Stregth Test Pressure

The pressure applied to a system during a strength test
Copyright 2008 by Wojciech Kostowski / Institute of Thermal Technology, SUT

Gas pressure reduction system

type A

MOPin <= MIPout lub MOPin <= 10 kPa

Application: boiler houses, inlet pressure is low
Copyright 2008 by Wojciech Kostowski / Institute of Thermal Technology, SUT

Gas pressure reduction system

type B

MOPin > MIPout and

MOPin MOPout<= 1.6 MPa
Copyright 2008 by Wojciech Kostowski / Institute of Thermal Technology, SUT

Gas pressure reduction system

type C

MOPin MOPout> 1.6 MPa and

MOPin > STPout
Copyright 2008 by Wojciech Kostowski / Institute of Thermal Technology, SUT

Gas pressure reduction system

type D

MOPin > 0.5 MPa and Q <= 60 m3/h

Moblie appliances connected to pipelines
(e.g. chromatographs, densimeters etc.)
Copyright 2008 by Wojciech Kostowski / Institute of Thermal Technology, SUT

Gas pressure reduction system

type C + relief valve
A system with two shut-off valves:
1. Relief valve 2% line capacity
2. Shut-off valve No. 1
3. Shut-off valve No. 2

Copyright 2008 by Wojciech Kostowski / Institute of Thermal Technology, SUT

Gas pressure reduction system

type C + relief valve
A system with a monitor regulator:
1. The monitor takes over the operation
2. Relief valve 2% line capacity
3. Shut-off valve

Copyright 2008 by Wojciech Kostowski / Institute of Thermal Technology, SUT

A system with 2 shut-off valves,

sample settings for MP

0,32 0,32
0,10 0,10

0,25

0,30 MPa

0,35 0,35
0,10 0,10

0,20

0,30 MPa

Copyright 2008 by Wojciech Kostowski / Institute of Thermal Technology, SUT

A system with a monitor regulator,

sample settings for MP

0,35 0,29
0,10

0,25

0,33 MPa

0,37 0,29
0,10

0,21

0,33 MPa

Copyright 2008 by Wojciech Kostowski / Institute of Thermal Technology, SUT

A system with a monitor regulator,

sample settings for LP

4,0
1,25

2,9

2,5

3,4 kPa

4,0
1,25

2,9

2,1

3,4 kPa

Copyright 2008 by Wojciech Kostowski / Institute of Thermal Technology, SUT

Slam-shut valves: pros and contras

(compared with monitors)
Advantages
Problems with sealings eliminated
The shortest reaction time
Lowest space requirements
(especially for 2-in-1 devices)
Lowest investment cost
1 source of noise
Higher set pressure possible (no
reserve for the monitor setting
required)

Disadvantages
The relief valve acts
first
High probability of
the PRS shut-off

Copyright 2008 by Wojciech Kostowski / Institute of Thermal Technology, SUT