High Efficiency Pipeline Compressor Packages - Efficient, Dependable And Off-The-Shelf

Most natural gas reserves are not in the vicinity of consumers. One method to transport gas to the places where it is needed is by pumping it through pipelines.

Transmission lines cover the long distances and local distribution networks carry gas locally. To overcome the pressure losses in the pipeline, compression equipment is necessary at defined distances distributed over the length of the pipeline.

Compressor stations in long-distance pipelines are typically in remote locations without electrical infrastructure, so the compressors are usually driven by gas turbines. On the other hand, compressor stations in the distribution networks may be located near to the consumers and, thus, near to cities with easy access to electrical interconnects. For these compressors, electric motor driven units are often preferred because of environmental aspects, such as, for example, lower emissions.

For compression trains a high degree of standardization is possible. And, in order to minimize the amount of gas consumed on its way to the consumer, compression efficiency is of the utmost importance.

The implementation time for new pipeline systems is increasing, leading to shorter construction times. Among many considerations, the delivery time for pipeline compression packages has become more and more crucial.

In order to meet these requirements Siemens Energy has developed standard pre-engineered, pre-documented pipeline compressor packages. These packages have been designed in accordance with international standards with a range of options to meet climatic and environmental conditions, from desert to temperate to arctic ambient conditions. By taking this approach rotating equipment has been moved from being a tailor-made engineered piece of equipment to a predetermined commodity. The result of this is that engineering, procurement and manufacturing times are significantly reduced.

Pipeline Compressor Packages
Siemens Pipeline Compressor Packages (SPCP) are pre-engineered gas turbine and motor driven pipeline compressor packages up to 30 MW with lead times down to six months depending on size. These pre-engineered packages combine the well proven standard ranges of Siemens Gas Turbines (SGT™) and Siemens Turbo Compressors (STC™). The pipeline compressors match the Siemens gas turbines’ power and speed to provide optimum performance and are available in five sizes based upon the gas turbine power ranges: SPCP-100, driver SGT-100 ISO power 4.9 MW; SPCP-200, driver SGT-200 ISO power 7.6 MW; SPCP-400, driver SGT-400 ISO power 13 MW; SPCP-600, driver SGT-600 ISO power 25 MW; and the SPCP-700, driver SGT-700 ISO power 30 MW, soon will be available.

The gas turbines cover the power range 5 to 30MW and offer the best efficiency in their class with either dry low emissions or standard combustion systems. All of the subsystems such as filtration, silencing, fuel, lube oil, wash, ducting, etc. are pre-designed and have been thoroughly tested and proven over many years.

The pipeline compressor has to accommodate the various pipeline conditions that exist and needs a greater degree of flexibility. The compressor consists of a vertically split type casing, with separate end covers, which can be rotated through 180˚ to provide left or right hand inlet; tilting pad bearings and tandem dry gas seals common to all rotor combinations; a common gas seal panel mounted on the base plate; and internal bundle designs for optimized aerodynamic and thermodynamic performance.