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ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY VERIFICATION REPORT-A AND A ENVIRONMENTAL SEALS, INC., SEAL ASSIST SYSTEM (SAS) PHASE II REPORT
Citation:
Southern Research Institute. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY VERIFICATION REPORT-A AND A ENVIRONMENTAL SEALS, INC., SEAL ASSIST SYSTEM (SAS) PHASE II REPORT. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-00/123, 2000.
Description:
The Environmental Technology Verification report discusses the technology and performance of Seal Assist System (SAS) for natural gas reciprocating compressor rod packing manufactured by A&A Environmental Seals, Inc. The SAS uses a secondary containment gland to collect natural gas that leaks from seals around the natural gas compressor to prevent the gas from escaping to the atmosphere. The collected gas is then recompressed and routed to the compressor engine fuel line for use. The system is composed of an emission containment gland (ECG), jets, a recycle stream, and an eductor/compressor system that pressurizes the collected gas. The verification tests were carried out on the compressor rod in each of three natural gas reciprocating compressors operating in series and powered by a Clark 4500 hp engine at a natural gas compressor station operated by Transwestern Pipeline Company of the Enron Gas Pipeline Group. Gas leakage from the 3 compressor rod seals and collected by the ECG ranged from 0.43 to 6.28 scfm. The 3 ECGs leaked to the atmosphere a portion of the collected natural gas that totaled between 0.07 and 3.45 scfm for a net collection of approximately 50%. The rest of the SAS was leak tight. The 50% collection rate is not sufficient to overcome the investment cost.