Remote Wellsite Instrument Air and Power Solution to Eliminate Methane
Approved for funding in ERA’s Methane Challenge in 2017, Gentherm Global Power Technologies demonstrated their Remote Generator Compression System (RGCS), a solution to provide compressed air and power on remote sites to replace methane venting from pneumatic equipment. By its completion in 2021, the RGCS technology was developed and piloted at field sites, it was advanced to commercialization, and eliminated methane emissions from gas production sites.
Gentherm Global Power Technologies developed the RGCS as an alternative power generation solution for compressed air at remote well sites. The system provides instrument air to replace instrument gas operating pneumatic valves, thereby eliminating vented methane. Providing instrument air and electric power for use by wellsite equipment can create greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions of over 90 per cent from previously unabated pneumatic devices. The self-contained, skid-mounted power generation and instrument air system enables gas facility operators and pipeline industries to avoid methane emissions from wellsite pneumatic equipment in the oil and gas production industry.
Various RGCS Sizes Tested and Advanced to Commercialization
The initial alternative power generation technology, ThermoAcoustic Generator (TAC), was unable to be integrated to the RGCS due to scheduling and commercial reasons. The TAC technology efficiently converts any high temperature gradient into electricity. Although TAC proposed reliability, low cost, and fuel flexibility over existing generators, the technology readiness level was at 5-6 and required testing and validation and subsequent design improvements for manufacturability prior to being commercially available. The project thus had to shift the power generation strategy mid-project towards commercially available solutions that were more economic and contributed to the commercial readiness of the overall system. Combined heat and power (CHP) and high-efficiency internal combustion engines demonstrated improved efficiency and reduced emissions, field run-time and reliability to compress air to eliminate gas venting on pneumatic valves. The project enabled Gentherm Global Power Technologies to design, test, and commercialize various configurations of instrument air solutions based on air and power requirements. The RGCS provides more efficient and lower emissions power generation to sites, reduces fuel consumption up to 60 per cent, and offers emissions reductions from the elimination of natural gas venting from pneumatic valves.
What’s next?
Gentherm Global Power Technologies plans to ramp up production and continue to provide support to already deployed systems in the field. They intend to continue development to fully commercialize additional configurations of the system to their product portfolio. The company’s EZ Air instrument air solution is commercially available in Lite, 3 HP, and 5 HP models to use grid, generator, or renewable power to provide instrument air to existing pneumatic devices.