WO2019022678A1

WO2019022678A1 - Gas metering and regulating station for hdpe pipeline network

Info

Publication number: WO2019022678A1
Application number: PCT/TH2017/000056
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vinthath SAPPANUKROH; Satapanik RODRUGSA; Thana PORNVISANUKUL; Chayanin AROMRAT; Chayata PIRIYAPONG; Chutitham APAPIPAT; Wisarut PUTTARASEREE; Kritsada WACHIRAWANITCHKIT; Sorarat KULARUK; Nattanon LUANGBORIBOON; Peerapat LIMVIBUL
Original assignee: Ptt Public Company Limited
Priority date: 2017-07-26
Filing date: 2017-07-26
Publication date: 2019-01-31

Abstract

A dual level skid-mounted metering unit (1-100) comprises a structural frame, a gas outlet (1-07), a gas inlet (1-10) connected to a ball valve (1-01), a first level (L1) with a first run connected in parallel with a second run, and a second level (L2). The first run and the second run each includes a butterfly valve (1-02) connected in series with a filter (1-05) and a pressure control valve (1-03). The second level (L2) connecting to the first level (L1) at one end and to the gas outlet (1-07) at the other end, includes a flow meter (1-06) connected in parallel with a bypass path (1-12). Each pressure control valve (1-03) may have an integrated pressure safety valve (1-04), which can have a blowdown in the range of 0.5-2 percent. The flow meter (1-06) has an intake pipe (1-11), whose length can be shortened to four times of pipe diameter to further reduce volumetric space of the skid-mounted metering unit (1-100).

Description

GAS METERING AND REGULATING STATION FOR HDPE PIPELINE

NETWORK

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to skid-mounted metering units. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a skid-mounted metering unit with internal components arranged in at least two levels for a reduced footprint.

BACKGROUND

A metering unit has a flow meter to determine the amount of gas or liquid transferred. Often the metering unit is used during a custody transfer of the gas or liquid from one operator to a recipient, the recipient being another operator or an end-customer. The gas or liquid is measured according to industry standards by a flow meter and the recipient is invoiced for the transferred gas or liquid according to a contractual agreement. For gas metering units, the pressure at the gas inlet is typically greater than the pressure at the metering unit's gas outlet. The metering unit is often mounted as a skid. A skid includes a structural frame upon which or or within which various components are assembled, such as the flow meter used to record the amount of gas or liquid subject to the custody transfer. The skid architecture facilitates assembly of the components and testing of the completed unit at a central location, such as a distant factory. Once assembled, the skid-mounted metering unit can be transported as a unit and placed at its final use location for fast installation. While skid-mounted metering units can be mounted on an open structural frame, many applications include an sheet metal skin to prevent tampering of the flow meter, reduce vandalism to the unit, and protect its parts from environmental damage from rain and debris.

Local safety regulations often require that these skid-mounted metering units have a safety zone surrounding them to dissipate flammable gases or liquids in the event of a malfunction. Skid-mounted metering units often are placed on sidewalk or other areas adjacent to buildings or roads. A larger sized skid-mounted metering unit can increase associated land costs and possibly unnecessarily impede traffic on the sidewalk or roadway. A larger sized and/or heavier skid-mounted metering unit can also increase transportation costs for the delivery of the unit to its location of final use. SUMMARY

A primary embodiment of the invention is a skid-mounted metering unit comprising a structural frame including a gas outlet and a gas inlet connected to a ball valve. The primary embodiment has a first level including a first end and a second end, the first end is connected to the ball valve and the second end connected to a second level. The first level includes a first run connected in parallel with a second run. The first run includes a first butterfly valve connected in series with a first filter and a first pressure control valve. The second run includes a second butterfly valve connected in series with a second filter and a second pressure control valve. The second level includes a third end and a fourth end, the third end is connect to the second end of the first level and a pressure relief valve. The fourth end is connected to the gas outlet. The second level includes a flow meter connected in parallel with a bypass path, wherein the flow meter has an intake pipe.

A secondary embodiment of the invention, the skid-mounted metering unit has at least one pressure safety valve in the first level. The pressure safety valve can have a blowdown in the range of 0.5-2 percent. The pressure control valves can also each have an integrated pressure safety valve.

Further embodiments of the invention can additionally include one or more of the following: (a) elbow filters to conserve space; (b) an intake pipe of the flow meter wherein the length of the intake pipe is greater than or equal to four times the diameter of the intake pipe; (c) pressure control valves with ductile cast iron bodies; (d) vertical displacement between the first and second levels; and/or (e) a ball valve that is a trunnion ball valve. The trunnion can include a vent, drain and sealant injection.

By connecting the first and second pressure control valves in parallel, greater gas throughput from the unit is possible. Also if one regulator malfunctions, the second regulator provides continued gas throughput. The two levels are displaced vertically from each other to help minimize the footprint of the skid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a representative configuration of the components assembled within an embodiment of the skid-mounted metering unit. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematic of a representative configuration of the components assembled within an embodiment of the skid-mounted metering unit.

FIG. 3 illustrates an side view of an embodiment of the skid-mounted metering unit.

FIG. 4 illustrates an top view of an embodiment of the assembled components within the skid-mounted metering unit.

FIGs. 5A-5B illustrate a front view and a side view, respectively, of an embodiment of the skid-mounted metering unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments can be utilized, and other changes can be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. Unless specified otherwise, the terms "comprising," "comprise," "including" and "include" used herein, and grammatical variants thereof, are intended to represent "open" or "inclusive" language such that they include recited elements but also permit inclusion of additional, un-recited elements. The term "connect," "connected," or "connecting" used herein, and grammatical variants thereof, are intended to represent a linking of two items either directly together or linking them indirectly together through the passage of other components such as pipes, valves, gauges, filters, regulators, flow meters or other common gas components used in metering units.

FIG. 1 illustrates the assembled components 1-100 within a first embodiment of the skid- mounted metering unit having a gas inlet 1-10 connected in series with a ball valve 1-01, a first level LI, a second level L2, and a gas outlet 1-07. The first level LI has a first end and a second end, the first end is connected to the ball valve 1-01 and the second end is connected to the second level L2. The first level LI has a first run and a second run connected in parallel. The first level has a first run with a butterfly valve 1-02, a filter 1-05 and a pressure control valve 1-03. The first level LI has a second run connected in parallel with the first run. The second run also has a butterfly valve 1-02, a filter 1-05 and a pressure control valve 1-03. The second level L2 has a third end and a fourth end. The third end is connected to the second end of the first level LI and a pressure relief valve 1-09. The second level L2 has a flow meter 1-06 connected in parallel with a bypass path 1-12. The flow meter 1-06 has an intake pipe 1-11. The fourth end of the second level is connected to the gas outlet 1-07. The assembled components are held in place by a structural frame.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the skid-mounted metering unit has at least one pressure safety valve 1-04 within the first level LI. The pressure safety valve can have a blowdown in the range of 0.5-2 percent. The pressure control valves 1-03 of the first and second run can also each have an integrated pressure safety valve 1-04.

Further embodiments of the invention can additionally include one or more of the following: (a) elbow filters for filters 1-05 to conserve space; (b) an intake pipe 1-11 of the flow meter 1-06 wherein the length of the intake pipe 1-11 is greater than or equal to four times the diameter of the intake pipe 1-11; (c) pressure control valves 1-03 with ductile cast iron bodies; (d) vertical displacement between the first level LI and second level L2; and/or (e) a ball valve 1-10 that is a trunnion ball valve. The filter 1-05 can be an elbow filter to conserve volumetric space. The elbow filter acts as a filter 1-05 and also as a piping elbow joint.

Furthermore, butterfly valves 1-02 can be used extensively throughout the skid-mounted metering unit 1-100 as shown in FIG. 1. The first level LI can have two butterfly valves 1- 02 connected to its second end. The second level L2 can have two butterfly valves 1-02 connected to its third end and two butterfly valves 1-02 connected to its fourth end. The gas outlet 1-07 can have a butterfly valve 1-02 between the gas outlet 1-07 and the fourth end of the second level L2. Butterfly valves 1-02 are typically smaller in physical shape than ball valves 1-01.

FIG. 2 represents a possible embodiment of the invention. The Equipment List items of FIG. 2 are identified as item numbers in squares for better clarity, these squared numbered items are each listed in the below Table 1 as Square- 1 to Square- 15. The Material List items of FIG. 2 are identified as item numbers in circles for better clarity, these circled items are each listed in the below Table 2 as Circle-1 to Circle-30. These two tables list the size in inches and the quantity (or length) of most items. The description column identifies each component using standard industry terms for the commonly available components.

Table 1: Equipment List (items correspond to numbers in squares on FIG. 2)

No. Description Size Quantity

Square- 1 SMALL BALL VALVE ANSI 800 PUP-SW x F-NPT 1/2" 1

Square-2 SMALL BALL VALVE ANSI 800 M-NPT x F-NPT 1/4" 2

Square-3 SMALL BALL VALVE ANSI 800 M-NPT x F-NPT 1/2" 7 Square-4 SMALL BALL VALVE ANSI 800 M-NPT x F-NPT 3/4" 1

Square-5 BALL VALVE ANSI 150 RF 2" 1

Square-6 BUTTERFLY VALVE ANSI 150 RF 2" 9

Square-7 DAY GAS FILTER ANSI 150 RF 2" 2

Square-8 PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE WITH BUILT IN 1" 2

SAFETY SHUT OFF VALVE ANSI 150 RF

Square-9 SAFETY RELIEF VALVE M-NPT x F-NPT 3/4" x 1" 1

Square- 10 ROTARY FLOW METER ANSI 150 RF G40 2" 1

Square- 11 INSULATION FLANGE ANSI 150 2" 2

Square- 12 SPECTACLE BLIND ANSI 150 2 1

Square- 13 PRESSURE GAUGE 0-150 PSI — 4

Square- 14 TEMPERATURE INDICATOR — 1

Square- 15 2WAYS VALVE MANIFOLD 1/2" 1

Table 2: Material List (items correspond to numbers in circles on FIG. 2)

No. Description Size Quantity

Circle- 1 PIPE API 5L Gr.B SCH.40 ERW 1" 4.0 M

Circle-2 PIPE API 5L Gr.B SCH.40 ERW 2" 7.0 M

Circle-3 ELBOW 90 DEGREES 3000 PSI A105 SW 1" 4

Circle-4 ELBOW 90 DEGREES A234 WPB SCH.40 2" 4

Circle-5 TEE A234 WPB SCH.40 2"x2"x2" 6

Circle-6 TEE REDUCER 3000 PSI A105 F-NPT 3/4"xl/2" 1

Circle-7 CONC. REDUCER A234 WPB SCH.40 2"xl" 4

CircIe-8 CAV A234 WPB SCH.40 2" 2

Circle-9 THREAD-0-LET 3000 PSI A105 1/4" 2

Circle-10 THREAD-0-LET 3000 PSI A105 1/2" 5

Circle- 11 THREAD-0-LET 3000 PSI A105 3/4" 5

Circle- 12 SOCK-0-LET 3000 PSI A105 1/2" 1

Circle- 13 PLUG HEXAGONAL 3000 PSI A105 1/4" 2

Circle-14 PLUG HEXAGONAL 3000 PSI A105 1/2" 4

Circle-15 PLUG HEXAGONAL 3000 PSI A105 3/4" 1

Circle- 16 HEX. NIPPLE A 105 3000 PSI M x M NPT. 3/4" 2

Circle-17 HEX. NIPPLE A105 3000 PSI M x M NPT. 1" 1

Circle-18 UNION HEXAGONAL 3000 PSI A105 NPT 1" 2

Circle-19 FLANGE WN.RF.A105 SCH.40 CLASS 150 LBS 1" 4

Circle-20 FLANGE WN.RF.A105 SCH.40 CLASS 150 LBS 2" 26

Circle-21 GASKET SPW OUT/INTERING CS/SS304 FILLER 1" 4

GRAPHITK CLASS #150

Circle-22 GASKET SPW OUT/INTERING CS/SS304 FILLER 2" 8

GRAPHITK CLASS #150

Circle-23 GASKET SPW OUT/INTERING CS/SS304 FILLER 5" 2

GRAPHITK CLASS #150

Circle-24 STUD BOLT & NUT, PTFE 1" 16

A193GR.B7/A194GR.2H 1/2x70 #150 (4/SET)

Circle-25 STUD BOLT & NUT, PTFE 2" 24

A193GR.B7/A194GR.2H 5/8x85 #150 (4/SET) Circle-26 STUD BOLT & NUT, PTFE 2" 8 A193GR.B7/A194GR.2H 5/8x95 #150 (4/SET)

Circle-27 STUD BOLT & NUT, PTFE 2" 32

A193GR.B7/A194GR.2H 5/8x130 #150 (4/SET)

Circle-28 STUD BOLT & NUT, PTFE 2" 4

A193GR.B7/A194GR.2H 5/8x140 #150 (4/SET)

Circle-29 PLATE STEEL 70x70x — 2

Circle-30 PLATE STEEL 140x70x6t — 2

Table 1 and Table 2 are not meant to reduce the scope of the invention. Simple changes can be made to this sample part list to increase gas throughput with wider piping sizes and/or additional redundant parallel configurations of flow meters, filters, or pressure control valves. Some parts may also be eliminated or combined to reduce the part list.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view 3-100 of an embodiment of the invention. The first level LI is vertically higher than the second level L2. The first run and second run are in the first level LI of FIG. 3, though only one run is clearly visible in this view. FIG.3 shows the gas intake 1-10 and the foundation 1-13 of the skid-mounted metering unit, the gas outlet 1-07 is not visible in this side view 3-100. The foundation 1-13 can be a portion of the structural frame. FIG. 4 illustrates a top view 4-100 of an embodiment of the invention. The first run and second run are more clearly visible in FIG. 4 and are each labeled. The gas outlet 1-07 and gas inlet 1-10 are both visible in this top view 4-100, though the foundation 1-13 is partially obscured.

FIGs. 5A-5B are a front view 5A-100 and side view 5B-100, respectively of an embodiment of the invention. Embodiments of the invention save volumetric space by including at least two levels and small components such as butterfly valves 1-02 and a shorter than typical intake pipe 1-12 for the flow meter, allowing for tighter arrangement of the components within the skid-mounted metering unit. In FIGs. 5A-5B, the structural frame is depicted as a shelter with a roof. While skid-mounted metering units can be mounted on an open structural frame, many applications will include this type of shelter depicted in FIGs. 5A-5B, to prevent tampering of the flow meter, reduce vandalism to the unit and to protect its part from environmental damage from rain and debris. The structural frame may also include an external sheet metal skin that appears more like a cabinet. The foundation 1-13 can be constructed of steel construction, plastic, concrete, a combination of the preceding materials or other similar robust materials. Butterfly valves can occupy less volumetric space than ball valves, allowing for tighter arrangement of the components within the skid-mounted metering unit. An elbow filter can occupy less volumetric space than an in-line filter if that elbow filter connects a vertical portion of the assembled components with a horizontal level. E.g., the elbow filter provides both the function of a filter and the function of a corner pipe connector.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, it will be apparent that various other modifications and adaptations of the invention will be apparent to the person skilled in the art after reading the foregoing disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and it is intended that all such modifications and adaptations come within the scope of the appended claims. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the appended claims.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A skid-mounted metering unit comprising:

(a) a structural frame including a gas outlet and a gas inlet connected to a ball valve;

(b) a first level including a first end and a second end;

the first end connected to the ball valve and the second end connected in series to a second level;

the first level including a first run connected in parallel with a second run;

(c) the first run including a first butterfly valve connected in series with a first filter and a first pressure control valve;

(d) the second run including a second butterfly valve connected in series with a second filter and a second pressure control valve; and

(e) the second level including a third end and a fourth end;

the third end connected to the second end of the first level and a pressure relief valve;

the fourth end connected to the gas outlet; and

the second level including a flow meter connected in parallel with a bypass path, wherein the flow meter has an intake pipe.

2. The skid-mounted metering unit of claim 1, wherein the first filter is a first elbow filter and the second filter is a second elbow filter.

3. The skid-mounted metering unit as in one of claims 1-2, wherein the length of the intake pipe is greater than or equal to four times the diameter of the intake pipe.

4. The skid-mounted metering unit as in one of claims 1-3, wherein the first level includes at least one pressure safety valve. 5. The skid-mounted metering unit as in claim 4, wherein the at least one pressure safety valve has a blowdown in the range of 0.

5-2 percent.

6. The skid-mounted metering unit as in one of claims 1-3, wherein the the first pressure control valve and the second pressure control valve each have an integrated pressure safety valve.

7. The skid-mounted metering unit as in one of claims 1-6, wherein the first pressure control valve and second pressure control valve have ductile cast iron bodies.

8. The skid-mounted metering unit as in one of claims 1-7, wherein the first and second levels are displaced vertically from each other.

9. The skid-mounted metering unit as in one of claims 1-8, wherein the ball valve is a trunnion ball valve.

10. The skid-mounted metering unit as in one of claims 1-9, wherein the structural frame includes a shelter.