Natural Gas Booster Systems
Natural Gas Booster systems are a series of mechanical components that boost the pressure of natural gases. Thus allowing the gases to be used for an increased number of applications. Gas booster systems are capable of compressing most gases including nitrogen, argon, helium, and hydrogen up to 20,000 psi. Systems featuring special seals and cleaning capabilities can pressurize oxygen to 5,000 psi.
What are Gas Booster Systems comprised of?
A gas booster system is comprised of a booster compressor and a booster pump in addition to other components that make the increase of fluid flow possible.
What is a gas booster compressor?
A gas turbine or piston type engine uses a fuel gas booster compressor to provide gaseous fuel to it in an increased flow rate this includes natural gas biogas or similar gases. single stage compressors are typically used for compression ratios of 5:1 or less. Gas turbine or piston type engines operate best with a steady supply of fuel gas at a constant pressure. Gas booster compressors provide this constant pressure.
What is a gas booster pump?
Generally, gas booster pumps are designed to boost constant supply or bottled gases such as nitrogen, air, hydrogen, helium, methane and numerous other gases up to higher pressures. They can also be used for pressure testing and pre-charging. Booster pumps are used to help increase the pressure of existing fluid flow systems. They are built to help pumping systems overcome high system head and achieve higher flow rates.
What are the power source options?
The power source options for boosters are hydraulics, electric motor, low or high-pressure air or manually by a lever system. There are pros and cons for each of these power types. It will be up to your designer/architect to help you select the appropriate one for your project. Knowing what your options are will make all the difference when it comes time to actually choose a unit.
- Hydraulics - this is a good option when higher flow rates, 100% duty use, and customized control options are needed
- Electric motor - this is a good option for stationary applications
- Low or High-Pressure Air - these are a good option where you need different pressure options. With the correct add-ons and seals from the manufacturer, these units are very customizable to your application
- Lever System (Manual) - while this power source has its applications, for most projects it will not be an optimal system.
Applications
These are a few of the things you could use a natural gas booster system for:
- Leak detection
- Pressure testing
- Increase force for pigging paint and syrup lines
- Unloading railroad cars using pressure
- Shield gas for plasma & laser cutters
- Increase pressure for
- products LCMS systems
- gas mixing systems
- injection molding applications
- mechanical seals
What do you need to consider when choosing a natural gas booster system?
Use Goals
This may seem like an obvious deciding factor, but taking the time to fully think through what you are trying to accomplish will help you make the best decision for the application. In your discernment, you may find that a natural gas booster system isn’t actually the best system for what you are trying to accomplish.
Consider and outline things like
- what you need the system to do
- how it can be accomplished
- what resources are available to accomplish it
These factors will help you get a better idea of what the system will need to do to be successful.
If you aren’t well versed in this topic, engage an expert who is knowledgeable and can assist you in making a well-informed design decision. The complete systems once fully installed can be large, cumbersome, and hard to move. Making the decisions you make now even more important to the success of the project
Location
As they say, location is everything. Identifying exactly where the unit will go into the building or on the site is an integral component of picking the best system to purchase for the project. The location will also inform the power source types you can choose from. If you only have certain resources available on site that will impact which power sources are an option for you.
Other things to consider are ease of access for maintenance staff and personnel. Taking this into consideration will alleviate problems down the line. When a machine needs maintenance or breaks down, the staff that needs to access it will thank you if they are able to easily access your equipment.
Life Cycle
The consideration of the life cycle is tied in with use. The life cycle of the system will vary depending on what it is being used for, how hard it is used, and maintenance. There are standard life cycle expectations with the caveats that everything is dependent on well you take care of the machines in the system.
Cost Effectiveness
The bottom line of every project undeniably ends up driving the selection process. The cost-effectiveness ultimately depends on the use, maintenance costs, life cycle, and rate of depreciation. Identifying the budget ahead of time and considering the overall cost-effectiveness of the system will be integral to selecting the appropriate system.
Next Steps
Seek out an expert to help you select the appropriate system for your project if you aren’t already working with one. Using the information above and the input of expert, find the perfect system for your project. The natural gas booster systems are an integral part of a well-planned solution to add pressure to your gas delivery.
