DDC-125: Eliminating Emissions During Routine Gas Operations
Project Overview
Local natural gas distribution companies run into many challenges related to operation and maintenance of distribution assets, but the most notable may be reducing harmful emissions and the impact on the environment. Whether abandoning an old line or purging a new line into service during large scale main replacement projects, performing routine maintenance like valve replacements, tie-ins or cut-outs, or using odorization equipment, venting and flaring are necessary steps in the process.
National Grid, like many other utility industry leaders, are investing in the decarbonization of their business to better support net zero and ESG goals—as well as make a positive impact to society and their customers. For their gas distribution business, eliminating the need to vent natural gas in the atmosphere is a critical step forward in this endeavor.
INDUSTRY: Gas Distribution
CLIENT: National Grid
LOCATION: Stony Brook, NY
DRAWDOWN PRESSURE: 48psi / 3.31 bar
PIPE DIAMETER: 8-inch
PIPE LENGTH: 12,000ft
Background
According to the UN, the energy sector is the source of around three-quarters of greenhouse gas emissions today. As a major contributor to the problem, our industry holds the reigns to averting the worst effects of climate change. More than 70 countries, including the biggest polluters – China, the United States, and the EU – have set a net-zero target dates of 2050, while aiming to cut emissions in half by 2030. Local natural gas distribution companies face strict ESG ambitions from public regulators and community organizations and ULC’s technology is here to help.
Drawdown solutions—also referred to as emissions recovery systems—have become an important piece to the net zero and ESG solution for gas distribution utilities. Emissions recovery systems capture isolated natural gas and inject it back into their active pipeline networks without the need of venting or flaring.
Built to work efficiently across a wide range of distribution volumes and pressures, ULC Technologies’ DDC-125 Drawdown Compressor was called upon to assist National Grid on a public works project on Long Island. Our technology provides cross compression to reduce harmful emissions at a significantly faster drawdown time to reduce impact on construction schedules.
Results
After taking delivery of another ULC Technologies’ Drawdown Compressor product last month, National Grid successfully deployed the skid-mounted DDC-125 unit in Stony Brook, NY out on eastern Long Island. Located at Route 347 and Hallock Road, a key public works project called for the cross-compression of a 12,000ft, 8-inch diameter run. With a max intake pressure of 48psi, our Drawdown Compressor was used to inject the natural gas back into a low-pressure active system at ½ psi with an incomparable, industry-leading drawdown time.
- Complete cross-compression of the 12,000ft, 8” diameter run saw the DDC-125 unit drawdown 48psi to ½ psi in just under 67 minutes, lessening the impact on construction schedules.
- More than 17,000 scf of natural gas was recovered during the project, which equivalates to 24.4 metric tons of CO2—the same emissions as 60,700 miles driven by an average gasoline-powered passenger vehicle or the amount of carbon sequestered by 29 acres of U.S. forests for one year.
- The unit also provided mitigation to possible odor complaints, keeping a desired public perception.