Electricity generation analysis of energy obtained from pressure drop in natural gas regional regulators and its effect on efficiency

When switching from the medium pressure steel network with 19 bar pressure to the low pressure polyethylene network with 4 bar pressure, pressure reduction is performed in the natural gas regional regulators. By converting the energy obtained from this pressure drop into electrical energy with a gas expansion turbine, natural gas regional regulators can use it for scada, communication, lighting, etc. It is a project planned to be designed to provide the electricity needs required for operations. The contribution of the Joule-Thomson effect to the efficiency of energy production in the throttling event that occurs during the specified pressure drop will be examined. Additionally, in this study; In case of using turbo gas expanders in the pressure reduction stations called regional regulators in the Izmir Natural Gas Distribution Network, the electrical energy production potential will be examined and technical-economic analyzes will be made.