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Copyright 2014 - Gasficient Consulting Services 1 Vortex Pilot Gas Heater Prepared by: Gasficient Consulting Services An application of the innovative products of
Copyright 2014 - Gasficient Consulting Services
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Vortex Pilot Gas Heater
Prepared by: Gasficient Consulting Services
An application of the innovative products of
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Vortex Pilot Gas Heater (VPGH) VPGH provide heat to pilot gas supply lines by
utilizing the vortex phenomenon whereby pressure reduction and mass/energy separation occur in a vortex tube.
Instead of combusting natural gas or using electricity VPGH heat the pilot gas by using the hot fraction of the vortex flow of natural gas
VPGH provide incremental heat to the pilot gas stream roughly proportionate the vortex flow rate and pressure differential
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VPGH - Vortex Pilot Gas Heater prevents pilot regulator gas from freezing
at natural gas transmission and distribution pressure regulation stations (PRS): VPGH-SP - Vortex Pilot Gas Heater, Single
Path - a single heating chamber to serve one pilot.
VPGH-DP - Vortex Pilot Gas Heater, Dual Path - two heating chambers to simultaneously serve two pilots.
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VPGH Gas Flow
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Suggested Facility Selection Considerations
1) Maximum percentage of PRS flow provided by VPGH
2) Minimum inlet to outlet pressure ratio 2.2:1 3) PRS Inlet Pressure Exceeds 20 Barg
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Maximal Flow Rates
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VPGH Temperature Increment
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VPGH A steady and ready supply of pilot gas
heat without combusting natural gas or using electricity!!!
Proven, reliable and clean...the only truly green solution for pilot gas heat.
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VPGH Heating For typical operating conditions incremental
vortex pilot heating can range from 20 to 55 Celcius
Specifications may stipulate that heating be sufficient but that gas temperature not exceed a maximum (eg 65 Celsius)
For pilot gas supplies that are warm (eg 25 C) prior to entering the VPGH it is possible the pilot gas temperature may be heated in the VPGH in excess of specifications (eg 25 C + 55 C = 75 C)
As such under some circumstances over-heating should be considered.
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Is Over-Heating by VPGH a Risk ? To date based on > 2500 installations no single
case of overheating has been reported. It is probable this may be attributed to the following: While pilot gas may be heated in excess of 65 Celsius in a
VPGH the volume of gas and thus the heat energy carried in the warm gas is very limited.
Upon leaving the VPGH some heat loss occurs from tubing, restrictor and warming the body of the pilot regulator such that the induced temperature rise of the non-metallic components of the pilot regulator is limited and may not exceed the 65 Celsius.
Notably pressure drop in the restrictor upstream of the pilot regulator results in some J-T cooling of the gas before it reaches the pilot regulator.
Pressure drop in the pilot regulator results in J-T and this contributes to cool the body of the pilot regulator and the non-metal components
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VPGH in Hot Climates UVI has 2500 successful installations Many installations are in regions having very hot
(>38 C) seasonal atmospheric conditions: Turkey Spain Italy Argentina Australia USA (including New Mexico, California,
Texas)
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Overheating Risk Mitigation Irrespective of prior successful VPGH use, to
mitigate the risk of over-heating, we propose the following system for GAIL
Installation of a calibrated pilot gas by-pass of the VPGH facilities the reduction of the pilot gas heat increment
The use of a globe valve allows very accurate calibrated control of the flow bypassing the VPGH.
An installation of a pilot gas bypass equipped with a globe valve is shown in P & ID below.
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OVER TEMPERATURE PROTECTION SYSTEM
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OVER TEMPERATURE PROTECTION
Globe valve position: fully open then roughly 50% of the pilot supply gas will go
through the VPGH and 50% will bypass. This would reduce the heat increment by 50% and ensure no over-heating.
If however more heat is required this can be achieved by partially closing the globe valve to increase the percentage of flow through the VPGH for any amount from 50% to 100%.
The calibration of the globe valve position to be done at the time of installation and changed seasonally if required.
Automation is an option at the discretion of the customer
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Questions & Discussion
