13. Heat Exchanger Inspection and Maintenance
Heat exchangers are a typical component in most city gate stations across Canada, they are critical to mitigate potential problems of ice formation due to expansion of natural gas as a result of pressure letdown. Heat exchangers are usually very stable in operation and normally require little maintenance. Experience at Enbridge Gas has determined that minor problems, if left unchecked, could progress causing higher energy consumption and performance variability due to dirt, deposit, and scaling on heat exchanger internal surfaces. Because heat exchangers typically operate with high pressure gas in tubes, any leak could result in a hazardous situation within the station and bypassing the heat exchanger in winter could lead to damaging utility or municipality infrastructure downstream of the station. This paper provides industry best practices to ensure heat exchangers are monitored and inspected to maintain consistent performance which will ensure safe and reliable city gate station operations.
| Date: | Wednesday, June 15th, 2016 |
| Time: | 11:45 am - 12:30 pm |
| Location: | Tuscany A |
| Session Type: | Breakout Session |
| Speakers: |
Heat exchangers are a typical component in most city gate stations across Canada, they are critical to mitigate potential problems of ice formation due to expansion of natural gas as a result of pressure letdown. Heat exchangers are usually very stable in operation and normally require little maintenance. Experience at Enbridge Gas has determined that minor problems, if left unchecked, could progress causing higher energy consumption and performance variability due to dirt, deposit, and scaling on heat exchanger internal surfaces. Because heat exchangers typically operate with high pressure gas in tubes, any leak could result in a hazardous situation within the station and bypassing the heat exchanger in winter could lead to damaging utility or municipality infrastructure downstream of the station. This paper provides industry best practices to ensure heat exchangers are monitored and inspected to maintain consistent performance which will ensure safe and reliable city gate station operations.
