Subtask 3.16 - Low-BTU Field Gas Application to Microturbines

Schmidt, Darren ; Oster, Benjamin

University of North Dakota

关键词: Hydrocarbons;    Flaring;    Low Btu Gas;    Gases;    Electricity;   

DOI  :  10.2172/986862
RP-ID  :  None
RP-ID  :  FC26-98FT40320
RP-ID  :  986862

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

Low-energy gas at oil production sites presents an environmental challenge to the sites owners. Typically, the gas is managed in flares. Microturbines are an effective alternative to flaring and provide on-site electricity. Microturbines release 10 times fewer NOx emissions than flaring, on a methane fuel basis. The limited acceptable fuel range of microturbines has prevented their application to low-Btu gases. The challenge of this project was to modify a microturbine to operate on gases lower than 350 Btu/scf (the manufacturer's lower limit). The Energy & Environmental Research Center successfully operated a Capstone C30 microturbine firing gases between 100-300 Btu/scf. The microturbine operated at full power firing gases as low as 200 Btu/scf. A power derating was experienced firing gases below 200 Btu/scf. As fuel energy content decreased, NO{sub x} emissions decreased, CO emissions increased, and unburned hydrocarbons remained less than 0.2 ppm. The turbine was self-started on gases as low as 200 Btu/scf. These results are promising for oil production facilities managing low-Btu gases. The modified microturbine provides an emission solution while returning valuable electricity to the oilfield.