Setting optimization schemes of a gas pipeline compressor plant

Gas pipeline compressor plants are set mainly in two forms, i.e., independent plants and joint plants. The former is safe and flexible, but covers a large area and needs high investment, while the latter covers a small area and requires low investment, but its safety and flexibility is poor. Facing the ever-increasing safety and environmental protection requirements and increasingly shortage of land, the setting form of a newly built gas pipeline compressor plant has attracted much attention and controversy. In this paper, the setting requirements of compressor plants stipulated in the standards and specifications of North America, the former Soviet Union, Europe, and China were studied systematically, and the actual setting approaches adopted in several domestic and foreign famous pipeline projects were investigated. Then, based on the actual engineering, quantitative risk analysis and economic evaluation were carried out on the two schemes of independent plants and joint plants by means of a specialized software. And the following research results were obtained. First, there is no clear requirements on the setting form of compressor plants in domestic and foreign main design specifications. Second, in Canada and the former Soviet Union, independent plants are widely applied. In the United States and Europe, both independent and joint plants are commonly applied. And in domestic market, joint plants are usually applied. Third, from the safety perspective of stations and gas pipeline systems, independent plants are superior to joint plants. From the economic perspective, joint plants are much better. Fourth, if both schemes are compared from the aspect of land acquisition, taking 4 compressor sets as an example, an independent plant scheme requires about 3 600 m2 more land, in this way a joint plant scheme seems more dominate. However, if in the construction of gas compressor stations of long-distance pipeline with much more land easier to occupy, an independent plant scheme should be recommended. © 2019, Natural Gas Industry Journal Agency. All right reserved.