Success with new gas storage technology

MAX STREICHER Anlagentechnik GmbH & Co. KG has successfully commissioned a new technical solution using cogeneration at the natural gas storage plant located in Jemgum, Northern Germany.

This MGT technology provides a much more efficient use of seal gases by cogenerating them. By using sophisticated MGT, the seal gases are transformed into heat and electricity. In terms of a sustainable management of natural resources, the recovered energy is then returned to the existing storage facilities. This system has been in operation since April 2015.

Jemgum is the site of one of the largest natural gas storage areas in Germany. Located in subterranean caverns, the storage can hold up to approximately 1 billion m³ of natural gas. In order to properly store the natural gas underground, the gas must be compressed to up to 200 bar. The compression is achieved by gas turbine driven compressors. The compressors are releasing seal gases from their gaskets and these gases are then collected and transferred to the MGT for cogeneration.

STREICHER has now delivered a cogeneration plant which allows a much more efficient use of these seal gases due to innovative technologies. With this plant, located in a 3.5 m high and 12 m long container, arising gas is transformed into energy which is directly consumed on site at the existing facilities.

Use of micro gas turbines for cogeneration

Cogeneration is possible as the plant is equipped with two MGT. Initially, MGT were developed in the 1990s in the US as a mobile electrical generator. Compared to a traditional gas engine, a micro gas turbine offers essential advantages – it is smaller and more compact and does not require oil and water supplies or consumption. Furthermore, the rotating component relies on air instead of oil and therefore is mainly maintenance free. Moreover, this technology offers a wide range of uses. It can exploit different combined gases from a low to a high GCV (gross calorific value), as well as manage quantitative fluctuations without difficulties.

The customised cogeneration plant at the natural gas cavern storage in Jemgum has been developed with the engineering expertise and know-how of STREICHER in co-operation with the customer. The cogeneration unit was completely preassembled in the STREICHER workshops in February 2015 and delivered by special transport to the gas storage site in Jemgum. As many energy companies are looking for environmentally friendly alternatives to gas flaring, STREICHER is proud to be a part of the first cogeneration plant with a MGT application. With this application STREICHER recognises the unlimited potential for further use of MGT to reduce flaring at gas facilities.

Edited from source by Elizabeth Corner

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/01062015/success-with-new-gas-storage-technology/