Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable

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CH4 Facts: “Fueling” Irrigation

CH4 Facts Graphics

As we continue to discuss the uses of natural gas, what about its ties to irrigation for agriculture? Yes, we’re talking about the original form of “making it rain.” Irrigation systems allow farmers to increase yield by efficiently managing water delivery over large areas. How does natural gas help? Along with being critical to the manufacture of irrigation components, natural gas also serves as a fuel source for many of the irrigation-related devices. Gas is used either directly as a fuel source, or indirectly at power generation stations that deliver electricity to the equipment. If you have a specific question, send us a message or plan to join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable, May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh, PA.

EGCR: Educating the Oil & Gas Industry Since 1973

Technical Tuesday: Bottle Flanges

Technical Tuesday

One of these things is not like the other (sung in our best Sesame Street voices)…

Let’s talk about suction bottle and discharge bottle flanges. Not all flanges are created equal, and the PHMSA interpretation of the bottle flanges can be different. Many operators interpret the flange that connects the pipe to the bottle as a ”DOT Regulated Flange” that requires the OQ qualifications, whereas the compressor connections are often not viewed the same and don’t require the OQ qualification. Want to know more? Join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable on May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

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CH4 Facts: Natural Gas & Agriculture

CH4 Facts Graphics

Beyond fertilizer, does natural gas support agriculture in other ways? It sure does… let’s talk production. The term “acre” originally was defined as the area one man could plow behind an ox in a single day. When you compare that definition to what a single farmer can do with modern equipment, there is an exponential difference. Natural gas is a key component in the manufacture, operation, and maintenance of that equipment. If you have a specific question, send us a message or plan to join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable, May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh, PA.

EGCR: Educating the Oil & Gas Industry Since 1973

Technical Tuesday: Flywheel Oil Leek

Technical Tuesday

A rare look behind the flywheel on a Cooper Bessemer GMWA… We often complain about a small oil leak on the rear seal behind the flywheel. But to remove the flywheel is a substantial investment of time and money, not even considering the potential safety concerns. A $5 per day oil leak becomes much more palatable when viewed through that lens. But if you decide to remove the flywheel to make the repair, we can tell you how to do it safely and correctly. Join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable on May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh to learn more.

Flywheel removed
Crankshaft end

Have a tip? Do you have a technical tip to share? Submit your tip, along with an associated image and we may include it in our Technical Tuesday social media posts, blog posts and emails.

CH4 Facts: Fertilizer

CH4 Facts Graphics

We have talked about how fossil fuels have impacted healthcare, but are there other ways natural gas impacts life expectancy? Yes, there definitely is. Let’s talk fertilizer. In the graph below, you can see how crop fertilization has fueled and supported the world population explosion. Natural gas is critical in the production of synthetic fertilizers. If you have a specific question, contact us directly or plan to join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable, May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh, PA.

Source: Max Roser and Hannah Ritchie (2013) – “Fertilizers”. Published online at OurWorldInData.org. Retrieved from: ‘https://ourworldindata.org/fertilizers’ [Online Resource]

EGCR: Educating the Oil & Gas Industry Since 1973

Technical Tuesday: Foundation Design

Technical Tuesday

Name one time when “bad” was good enough. How about our foundations? By most accounts, our compressor foundations from the 1940’s through the late 70’s were poorly designed, used questionable or substandard materials, and were occasionally installed by less-than-qualified individuals. And they are still lasting 50-60 years. We can do better, but there is a point of diminishing return on investment. If you want insights into which foundation design and materials are the right mix of reliability and expense, join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable on May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA to learn more.

Basement compressor
Foundation complete and ready for concrete pour

Have a tip? Do you have a technical tip to share? Submit your tip, along with an associated image and we may include it in our Technical Tuesday social media posts, blog posts and emails.

CH4 Facts: Pharmaceutical Prices

CH4 Facts Graphics

If healthcare is so closely tied to fossil fuels, do we see a fluctuation in healthcare cost when supply pricing of fossil fuels changes? Yes, but an even more interesting trend is what happens when the medical industry doesn’t use fossil fuels. A Kaiser study found that from 2000-2008, pharmaceutical price increases rose by approximately 114% in comparison to other medical expenditure categories. For example, hospital and patient services increased roughly 88%. During this time, the pharmaceutical industry was pursuing replacing chemical agents with biological agents in their processes. It turns out that the expense to manufacture and administer those biological agents was significantly higher. If you have a specific question, send us a message or plan to join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable, May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh, PA.

Source: Norbeck TB. Drivers of health care costs. A Physicians Foundation white paper – second of a three-part series. Mo Med. 2013;110(2):113–118.

CH4 facts

EGCR: Educating the Oil & Gas Industry Since 1973

Technical Tuesday: Centrifugal Oil Filters

Technical Tuesday

“You spin me right round, baby, right round.” What a nice little ear worm to start off your Technical Tuesday. Centrifugal oil filters work by creating a spinning vortex of oil inside the can which slings contaminants out of the oil stream and are a great add-on filter to your lube system. They are exceptionally effective on 4 stroke units, but all engines can benefit from properly designed add on filtration. Want to know more? Join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable on May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

Centriful Oil Filters

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Technical Tuesday: Tin Pest

Technical Tuesday

Tin Pest — no, it’s not a Pontiac, and the bug man can’t kill it. Tin Pest is a chemical reaction that causes utter destruction of tin when exposed to low temperatures. How does this apply to us? Many of our components (such as power piston skirts) have a tin coating. So how low is “low temperature?” 56°F is where the tin begins to have issues. Check out this video to see an example:

Where do you store your spare parts? Learn more at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable on May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

Technical Tuesday 45 Tin Pest

Have a tip? Do you have a technical tip to share? Submit your tip, along with an associated image and we may include it in our Technical Tuesday social media posts, blog posts and emails.

CH4 Facts: Transportation

CH4 Facts Graphics

Beyond medicines, plastics and climate control, are there other ways fossil fuels impact healthcare? Yes, and the biggest one is transportation. The healthcare industry depends on oil and natural gas to move patients in ambulances, deliver supplies to their facilities, and get their staff to work. Even the staff that are riding the subway in large metropolitan areas are using electricity produced with natural gas. If you have a specific question, send us a message or plan to join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable, May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh, PA.

EGCR: Educating the Oil & Gas Industry Since 1973