GASCONTROL, společnost s r.o. - gas installation and energetics

Gas pressure regulation takes place inside of pressure regulators in regulation stations. Regulators are customised for decompression, but a hydraulic gradient isn't usefully exploited. On this account an idea arose -– to use at least in part a compressive gas declivity for production of electric energy, and thereby cover in part needs of a regulation station - lighting, transmission apparatuses, odorizing equipment and execute the sale of excess to the nets NN.

The staff of GASCONTROL, společnost s r.o. worked out a study of this dilemma, in which they involved variety of turbines, their efficiencies at set compressive declivities, applicable flows and developed the expansive turbine with low izoentropy efficiancy.

It is possible to install this turbine on 1 regulation row of a high pressure double - row regulation station. Protection of a regulation row with turbine is provided in the same way as with classical regulation rows - 2 security flaps, which are placed in front of the regulator and those take the pressure from behind the turbine, whereby secure a failure of the turbine, eventually of the  regulator. Safety flaps also react on increased rotation speed of the turbine, over - voltage and other protection, and in the case of overrun of set values, they close the regulation row. The gas seal is placed behind the turbine at the end of the row.

The expansive turbine has got a low izoentropy efficiency. Increase in efficiency is possible in case of more efficient preheater is installed in entrance to the RS, whereby would increase potencial energy of gas, which it is possible to take advantage of. The main factors at selection of turbine are without question acquisition costs, and this is accompanied by return rate of investments. In the event of existing RS is in the majority of cases preferable to keep existing preheaters and to use a turbine with low izoentropy efficiency, but it is true that at building - up of new RS is worth while to consider a proposal of more efficient preheaters.