The Lubrizol Corporation has strengthened its commitment to the growing stationary natural gas market with the introduction of two new advanced 4-stroke low ash technologies: Lubrizol® SG9L01 and Lubrizol® SG9L20.Stationary natural gas is one of the world’s fastest growing primary energy resources, accounting for 24% of the global primary energy consumption and anticipated to increase Read more
natural gas
The Lubrizol Corporation has strengthened its commitment to the growing stationary natural gas market with the introduction of two new advanced 4-stroke low ash technologies: Lubrizol® SG9L01 and Lubrizol® SG9L20.Stationary natural gas is one of the world’s fastest growing primary energy resources, accounting for 24% of the global primary energy consumption and anticipated to increase 50% by 2040 according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Many market applications-including power generation, cogeneration, gas compression, biogas, landfill and more-have developed increasingly complex requirements for desired operation. Today’s stationary natural gas lubricants must optimize engine performance and provide:Extended service life for maximized uptimeRobust protection against the most severe gassesEnhanced reduction in harmful depositsAssured emissions compliance”Over the past decade, Lubrizol has dedicated significant resources and capital to the development of these highly advanced additive packages,” says Al Haas, Lubrizol global product manager, Stationary Natural Gas Engines. “We’ve made these investments because we know they matter-and through exhaustive screen testing, field trials and our deep industry relationships, we can confidently deliver on important needs of OEMs and engine operators.”Lubrizol SG9L01 delivers enhanced varnish and deposit protection at extreme temperatures, reduced combustion chamber deposits, improved copper corrosion protection and excellent wear protection with Lubrizol Hyper® ZDP Technology. Lubrizol SG9L20 offers these benefits and beyond, delivering breakthrough extended oil life for maximized uptime, improved maintenance interval planning and increased overhaul intervals.”Lubrizol’s advanced technology resources brought these products to life,” says Paul Nai, Lubrizol global business manager, Large and Small Engines “We’ve put novel chemistry to work in order to deliver higher performance beyond what has been seen before in stationary natural gas additive technology.”Lubrizol’s investment in stationary natural gas and its development of new additive packages reflect the company’s commitment to this important and growing market. Oil marketers acrossthe globe investing in the stationary natural gas market can count on Lubrizol’s unparalleled commitment to testing and its independent strength for advanced additive chemistry that better enables robust lubricant products. It’s how Lubrizol and its partners achieve Success Together.For more information on Lubrizol SG9L01 and Lubrizol SG9L20, visit www.lubrizol.com or contact your account manager.
The gas piping system has a direct effect on appliance operation and performance. Many nuisance shutdowns can be attributed to gas-related piping errors. We will look at some gas piping basics and identify common issues that come up in the field. GAS PIPE SIZING Proper gas piping is essential for each appliance to function correctly Read more
The gas piping system has a direct effect on appliance operation and performance. Many nuisance shutdowns can be attributed to gas-related piping errors. We will look at some gas piping basics and identify common issues that come up in the field.
GAS PIPE SIZING
Proper gas piping is essential for each appliance to function correctly and most efficiently. When planning a gas piping system, it is important to draw it on paper and plan it out. You can flow only so much gas (or water) through a given pipe size, so restrictions will manifest themselves as a lack of pressure or volume.
Sizing a gas line is not too difficult. It is easier to start at the last appliance and work your way back to the as meter and/or regulator. The main pipe size will increase as a branch is added and increase again as another branch is added. Each branch must be properly sized to carry the Btu load of the connected appliance. If a branch will serve more than one appliance , then it must be sized to carry the total Btu load. As you work your way back toward the meter or regulator, the main pipe will increase in size to accommodate the total Bty load of the system.
he gas sizing charts shown are from the National Fuel Gas Code/ANSI Z223.1/NFPA54. They indicate thousands of Btus that can flow through a given pipe size based on the length of piping. Fittings must be added to complete the calculation. Each fitting has an equivalent footage equal to straight pipe, and these must be counted and added to the total footage.
PIPING ISSUES
Pipe is too small to carry total Btu input
Size reductions or fitting restrictions can create a lack of gas volume or unacceptable gas pressure drops. This is common on piping branches. The length of the branch plus fittings must be considered and appropriately calculated.
Reduced-size flexible connectors
Flexible connectors are typically smaller than the connection itself. A 3⁄4″ flex connector will normally have 1⁄2″ or 5⁄8″ corrugated SS tubing. Flexible connectors have a rating label attached – Check length and Btu capacity!
Small or reduced port ball valves
Always use full-port valves to prevent reduced volume or pressure. Many valves I see in the field are small-port or reduced-port. These valves do create issues and they can cause flame failures.
Gas regulator too close to heater
A regulator cannot always respond when it is mounted too close to the heater. It can’t always open fully and regulate properly when installed too close.
First and second stage regulators too close to each other
The fist and second stage regulators can “fight” each other if they are located too close to each other. It takes a length of piping to allow the first stage regulator to open and operate properly, and the same applies to the second stage regulator.
Lock-up style regulators
Lock-up style regulators may require a pressure relief reset to operate properly. They can “lock up” and cease to function. Gas pressure must be relieved from the regulator inlet for it to reseat/reset.
Vent limiters
Ball-check vent limiters must be installed with the regulator in the horizontal position and the ball-check vent limiter in the upright position. The ball-check can stick if installed in another position.
Tankless upgrades
Tankless retrofits almost always require a gas pipe size up- grade. A typical 40-gallon gas tank-type heater uses approxi- mately 40,000 Btu per hour. The standard tankless heaters are rated at 199,000 Btu per hour! The branch and main lines must be considered if a tankless heater is being added. The branch must be able to carry the increased tankless Btus. The gas main line must be able to carry the additional and total Btus.
Modulating burners
Modulation allows a heater or boiler to operate at a lower input. Tankless heaters are good examples of this technology. As flow increases, the burner will ramp up and require more gas to operate, all the way up to its maximum input. Tankless heaters can operate on low fire with an undersized gas line, but when input demand increases, the heater will experience flame failure issues.
Gas measurement
Always verify gas pressures with a slack-tube manometer. You cannot effectively troubleshoot a gas issue without a slack-tube manometer. They are the only device approved for a pressure-drop test and they always give a true reading. A gauge-type manometer will also give accurate readings. Avoid using a digital manometer for troubleshooting gas volume or pressure issues. They can be erratic with jumping pressures and require calibration. A digital manometer is best applied to measuring minute pressures or differentials. Gas inlet pressures must be taken with the unit off and with the unit on to make sure there is not a substantial drop when the burner comes on. Gas manifold pressures must be measured with the unit on or as it comes on.
Pressure drop
A 1⁄2″ WC drop is an acceptable pressure drop—any higher drop in pressure indicates a gas supply issue that must be found and corrected. Some regulators will have a higher pres- sure drop, but it drops when the regulator opens and then holds steady at the set pressure.
Fan-assisted appliances
More than a 1″ WC drop can cause many fan-assisted heaters to go out on flame failure. Many newer appliances use a variable frequency drive (VFD), and dropping gas pres- sures can affect the ignition or burner operation resulting in flame failures. Fan-assisted appliances also require a mini- mum gas pressure that must be present at all times to oper- ate. If the pressure falls below the required minimum, the heater will experience nuisance flame failure shutdowns.
Atmospheric appliances
Atmospheric heaters will operate on low gas pressure or volume. They are more “forgiving” of low pressure or volume. They are dependent on gravity make-up air, and the open burner can still burn at reduced input. This can be a big issue if the gas supply is undersized. The heater will operate at a lower Btu input and have a reduced recovery rate. If a heater is marginally sized or in high demand, the reduced Btu input can cause premature failure and operational issues such as condensation. Reduced gas supply = lower Btu input = less hot water gph recovery.
SUMMARY
A gas supply problem can indicate many potential issues. It can be tedious trying to figure out what the cause of the prob- lem is. It may require sketching out the piping and doing a cal- culation. Sometimes it can be easily overlooked like a fitting re- duction, or it can be hard to find like a reduced-port ball valve. I always say that the slack-tube manometer never lies, and it can clear up any confusion. We have listed a lot of the common issues here, but there are many more to be encountered!
Gastite’s FlashShield™ CSST passes LC1027 performance standards Gastite, a leading manufacturer of Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST), confirmed its claim that its FlashShield is currently the only product on the market that provides best-in-class lightning protection by meeting the new PMG LC 1027 performance standards for multi-layer, conductive, jacketed corrugated stainless steel tubing. “The LC1027 Read more
Gastite’s FlashShield™ CSST passes LC1027 performance standards
Gastite, a leading manufacturer of Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST), confirmed its claim that its FlashShield is currently the only product on the market that provides best-in-class lightning protection by meeting the new PMG LC 1027 performance standards for multi-layer, conductive, jacketed corrugated stainless steel tubing.
“The LC1027 testing evaluated the ability of Gastite’s CSST jacket material to prevent melt-through of the inner stainless steel piping when exposed to simulated lightning voltage/currents that may exist within a residential structure,” said Craig Barry, Vice President of Marketing for Gastite. “To date FlashShield is the only CSST to meet all proposed performance requirements.”
Gastite commissioned this independent third-party test as part of its ongoing commitment to provide a best-in-class “CSST product for our customers as well as theirs.”
LC1027 testing was performed by an independent lightning test laboratory accredited by the International Accreditation Service (IAS). All samples of FlashShield CSST were subjected to and passed a minimum 96-hour corrosion test as well as lightning simulation testing.
According to Barry, “We had a third-party independent laboratory test the new FlashShield CSST system to make certain it gives contractors the highest level of lightning protection available in flexible gas piping systems.” To learn more about the FlashShield CSST system and view a demonstration video at www.gastite.com/flashshield,
via Gastite’s FlashShield™ CSST passes LC1027 performance standards.
Natural Gas Facts by Sheryl Long You probably know that natural gas is good for your business, but it is also good for the United States economy. Check out these statistics from the American Gas Association. Jobs, Jobs, Jobs Homes and business served by American Gas Association (AGA) members are the largest consumers of natural Read more
Natural Gas Facts
by Sheryl Long
You probably know that natural gas is good for your business, but it is also good for the United States economy. Check out these statistics from the American Gas Association.
Jobs, Jobs, Jobs
Homes and business served by American Gas Association (AGA) members are the largest consumers of natural gas in the country and the industry as a whole employees nearly 3 million people.
- 622,000 jobs are directly involved in exploring for, producing and distributing natural gas (direct employment). Natural gas distribution employment provided between 116,000 and 122,000 (nearly 20%) of these direct jobs.
- 723,000 additional jobs are created in industries such as agriculture and manufacturing that support and supply goods and services to the natural gas industry (indirect employment).
- 1.5 million jobs are supported when direct and indirect natural gas employees introduce the income back into the economy and create demand for further goods and services (induced employment).
For more information, visit http://www.aga.org/our-issues/playbook/Pages/default.aspx
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Employment Impact
The number of direct jobs created by the natural gas industry increased 20% between 2006 and 2008.
The natural gas industry employs people in all 50 states.
The natural gas industry’s value-added economic impact totaled $385 billion in 2008, or 2.7% of U.S. output. In addition, the gas industry provided $70 billion of direct income for workers in 2008.
The industry projects that the Marcellus shale gas play alone will result in approximately 160,000 additional jobs by 2015.
Natural Gas Appliances: Selling the Safety Angle by Sheryl Long From time to time, technicians will interact with a potential customer who is afraid of natural gas. This fear can have a number of causes, but to make that natural gas appliance sale or installation you need to put that person’s mind at ease. Make Read more
Natural Gas Appliances: Selling the Safety Angle
by Sheryl Long
From time to time, technicians will interact with a potential customer who is afraid of natural gas. This fear can have a number of causes, but to make that natural gas appliance sale or installation you need to put that person’s mind at ease.
Make sure you are familiar with the safety standards of our industry and can address any related safety issues that might arise. The safety information below can become a powerful selling tool for closing these sales.
Natural gas safety
The United States’ natural gas pipeline delivery system is one of the safest and most reliable in the world. Extensive industry safety programs are in place and are overseen by state officials and the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Natural gas utilities support the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) whose mission is to reduce damages to underground infrastructure. Since the inception of CGA in 2004, there has been, roughly, a 40 percent reduction in excavation damages to natural gas systems.
Natural gas utilities also have multiple measures in place to ensure the safety of everyone. These measures include built-in system safety mechanisms, regular inspections, operator qualification requirements, and damage prevention and public education programs.
Built-in Mechanisms
-System flow rate and pressures are continuously monitored to stay within safe operating ranges.
-Mechanical regulators control flow and if pressure rises above a set point, they close off the flow.
-Relief valves are installed on pipelines to vent gas harmlessly if a line becomes overpresurrized.
-Another regulator at the residential meter reduces pressure to under ¼ pound. This is less than the pressure created by a child blowing bubbles through a straw in a glass of milk.
Inspections
-Pipe and fittings used for natural gas go through extensive inspections at many stages, from the manufacturing process all the way to the actual installation.
-After pipe is installed in a home or business, it is tested at significantly increased pressures beyond normal operations.
-All interior piping work is inspected according to requirements of the Florida Southern Building Code, plus additional local and regional jurisdiction inspections also may apply.
-When the natural gas service is actually turned on, the local utility tests to ensure that the pressure is correct and that there are no leaks in the system.
-Pipelines are surveyed with leak detection equipment at regular federally-specified intervals.
-Gas appliances are approved by nationally recognized testing centers to ensure they meet national safety standards.
Appliance Safety Technology
-Water heaters have a temperature and pressure relief valve as a backup safety feature.
-Water heaters, space heaters and some furnaces are equipped with a valve that automatically shuts off the fuel supply through a flame safeguard control. In other words, if the pilot isn’t burning, the gas flow shuts off.
-Many gas appliances have high temperature switches. If conditions activate these safety controls, the unit shuts down safely.
-Ranges and dryers have electric ignitions. There is no standing pilot, so when the gas is turned on, it is then ignited electronically.
-Most new gas appliances have an automatic flame sensor. If the gas doesn’t light in a certain length of time, the gas flow is shut off.
-Current safety codes require a manual shut-off valve for every appliance.
Operator Qualifications
-All utility personnel and contractors who are licensed to install natural gas lines must have passed stringent qualification programs.
Damage Prevention Programs
–Natural gas utilities provide extensive damage prevention programs and federally mandated pipeline awareness information to the general public. Examples include 811 – Call Before You Dig information, newspaper notices, excavator training, First Responder training, etc.
Leak Detection
-Natural gas is an odorless, colorless substance. To guarantee that leaks are noticed, a chemical odorant called mercaptan is added to the gas, which results in a readily identifiable “rotten egg” smell.
-All utilities publicize an emergency leak number where natural gas leaks are given the highest priority.
This basic primer of natural gas safety should cover most questions and issues that technicians come across. Easing the fears of potential customers can definitely help your bottom line. Invest the time to become aware of just how safe natural gas really is.
For more information check out these websites:
sunshine811.com
AGA.org
FNGA.com (Natural Gas Information/Safety)