Session: 09-03-01 Emissions, Safety & Risk Analysis

Paper Number: 87391

87391 - Different Ways to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emission in Pipelines 

Pipelines are essential for keeping the lights on, homes warm, plants running, planes flying and water flowing. They also provide one of the safest means of transport. By taking some effective actions, they can contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emission significantly.

This paper explores a few ways for pipeline companies to help combat climate change.

The first and most obvious way is the implementation of an effective leak detection program as defined in API 1175. It includes leak detection culture and strategy, technologies, policies, procedures, processes and people. Some examples will be shared to demonstrate the impact of the leak detection culture in reducing the consequences of leaks, e.g. emission.

The second way to reduce emission is through the optimization of fuel gas consumption by pumps and compressors. For gas transmission pipeline networks it is normal practice for some of the gas to be used to fuel compressors. By minimizing the fuel used while meeting all contractual obligations and pipeline operating constraints, it not only saves money but contributes directly to greenhouse gas emission.

The third way to reduce emission is through the improvement of network operations. For example, some pipelines vent gas to the atmosphere if the pressure goes above a certain level. Such practice can be avoided completely by better inventory management using tools available.

With the move to hydrogen and renewable natural gas, pipeline simulation software can also help the pipeline industry to transit to greener energy, thus less emission. The transportation of hydrogen blends will have a significant impact on the pipeline industry, for example, a blend of 25% hydrogen will reduce the energy density of natural gas by approximately 15%. The simulation software can be used to assess the existing pipeline infrastructure and its capacity to cope with the increased throughput to meet the same or higher demand. In addition it can provide information for scenario analysis, training and operations, gas quality tracking, impact of compressor trip when different amount of hydrogen blend is used.

Examples will be provided in this paper to support the above four ways in reducing gas emission together with the tools and technologies used.

Presenting Author: Jun Zhang Atmos International

Presenting Author Biography: Jun started her career at Shell Research, Amsterdam, to develop a working leak detection technology for operational pipelines. After implementing the technology on several pipelines successfully, she got the blessing from Shell to supply the statistical system to other pipeline companies world-wide. <br/>In 1995 she founded Atmos International. Over the past 27 years, Atmos has continued to develop leak detection technologies. In addition it has developed the most accurate and user-friendly hydraulic simulation software – Atmos SIM.