Natural Gas Pipeline
Natural Gas Pipeline Division
Overview
Presently, the extensive natural gas pipeline systems in the United States and around the world waste tremendous amounts of energy that could be used to generate megawatts of electricity. In 2008, the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) published a study titled: Waste Energy Recovery Opportunities for Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines.
The study concluded that tremendous amounts of electricity could be produced utilizing the pressure drop that occurs along the natural gas pipelines where the pressure must be stepped down to deliver the natural gas to customers. At present, that pressure drop is accomplished by stepping down the pressure by mechanical means. That type of system does not recapture any of the energy that was used to pump up the pressure at the many pumping stations located along the natural gas pipeline.
The study also concluded that there are no commercially available systems that have overcome the problems associated with pressure letdowns.
“After extensive research and development, PowerVerde’s patented electrical generation systems have overcome those problems.”
Technology
PowerVerde, Inc has developed and patented a unique system for generating megawatts of electricity on existing natural gas pipeline systems. These unique systems will be able to generate huge amounts of electricity without burning any of the gas or disrupting the flow of the natural gas to customers.
The PowerVerde systems use the high pressure of the natural gas in the pipelines where the pressure needs to be dropped to deliver to customers. Presently, the pressure drop is accomplished by throttling down the pressure by mechanical means. That process wastes the latent potential of the natural gas to produce electrical energy. The payoff bonus is that all of the electrical energy potential can be produced without emitting any pollutants or adding any carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. In essence, after the initial cost of installation, the electricity generated is free and non-polluting.
“PowerVerde plans to install demonstration systems on several public utility natural gas pipelines in the second quarter of 2010.”
“PowerVerde believes that this new pipeline electrical generation system would complement the Pickens Plan by producing large amounts of electricity during the transition to an all electric energy policy.”
The illustration below shows the PowerVerde systems installed on a typical natural gas pipeline.
Natural Gas Pipeline System
Thousands of Locations for PowerVerde Systems
Advantages of PowerVerde System
- Low Initial Installation Cost (Less than $2000 per installed kW)
- Low Maintenance Costs
- System Components can be replaced without shutting down other units
- Temperature drop of natural gas is minimal (no pre or post heat of gas)
- If downstream demand for gas is reduced, individual units shut down, not the whole system
- Additional units can be installed as gas demand goes up
- Locations are close to grid, requiring no long distant transmission costs
- Systems are monitored on a special website
- Gas leak monitors shut down individual systems if a leak is detected
- High pressure stainless steel containment vessel of motor ensures safety
- Systems produce electricity 24/365, and don’t depend on sun or wind
Pipeline Installation Plan
“The PowerVerde pipeline system will be thoroughly tested and ready for installation on a public utility natural gas pipeline system in the third quarter of 2010.”
Several utilities have responded positively to a proposal by PowerVerde to demonstrate the technology and PowerVerde is in the process of evaluating which utilities will be chosen for the initial installations. The demonstration systems will be installed at no cost to the utility.
PowerVerde will contract companies that provide services to the natural gas pipeline industry to install monitor and maintain the demonstration systems. Those companies will then be contracted to install and service the units that are sold to the pipeline companies.
The service companies will be provided spare motors, generators and control systems by PowerVerde. The systems are designed to allow for rapid removal and replacement of all components so that the down time is minimal. The replaced components will then be sent to the PowerVerde maintenance facility for inspection and replacement of any necessary parts. This procedure will guarantee to the customer that there will be minimal disruption of electrical generation.
Major Milestones
- March 2010 – Demonstration units installed on selected pipelines
- May 2010 – Sales to Public Pipeline companies begins
The manufacturing, assembly and engineering of the Natural Gas Pipeline Energy Recovery Systems takes place at Global Machine Works, located in Arlington, WA. Global Machine Works is an aerospace firm that delivers thousands of parts to Boeing, Bell Helicopter, Cessna and other high tech companies. Global is capable of mass producing large quantities of the Natural Gas Pipeline Energy Recovery Systems to exacting aerospace quality.
