Gas-Gas Ejector Recovery for GOSP Pressure Drop and Flaring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas flow pressure fluctuations in Gas Oil Separation Plants (GOSPs) lead to inefficient operation of high-pressure gas compressors, resulting in rejected gas that is typically flared, causing energy wastage and reducing the volume of gas that can be processed at central gas plants.
Innovation Solution
A gas-gas ejector system is implemented, fluidically coupled to the gas flow pathways, using high-pressure gas from a gas reservoir as a motive gas to drive the flow of low-pressure gas from GOSPs to the central gas plant, optimized by a controller that monitors and adjusts flow pressures to prevent flaring and enhance energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-pressure gas compressors are used to maintain gas flow pressure in GOSPs, then gas can be transported to central gas plants, but pressure fluctuations cause inefficient operation and rejected gas that must be flared
Solution Approach 1:
A gas-gas ejector is introduced as an intermediary device between the GOSP and central gas plant. The ejector uses high-pressure motive gas to entrain and transport low-pressure rejected gas, serving as a mediator that converts otherwise wasted rejected gas into useful transported gas volume without requiring additional compression power
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter of rejected gas by using the gas-gas ejector to boost its pressure level. The ejector transforms low-pressure rejected gas into high-pressure transportable gas by utilizing the energy from high-pressure motive gas, thereby changing the pressure state to enable efficient transport to central gas plants
2Reliability
If rejected gas is flared to maintain pressure stability, then gas flow pressure can be controlled, but the volume of gas processed at central gas plants is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful rejected gas that would normally be flared into a beneficial resource. By using the gas-gas ejector to transport rejected gas to central gas plants, the previously wasted gas becomes additional processed gas volume, turning a negative (flare requirement) into a positive (increased processing volume)
Solution Approach 2:
The gas-gas ejector performs multiple functions: it maintains pressure stability in the GOSP while simultaneously transporting rejected gas to central gas plants. This multi-functionality eliminates the need to choose between pressure control and gas volume processing, achieving both objectives concurrently
3Productivity
If gas compressors operate continuously to maintain flow pressure, then gas transport is ensured, but power consumption increases and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas-gas ejector enables rejected gas to transport itself to central gas plants using the energy from high-pressure motive gas. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional compression power, as the rejected gas utilizes the energy already present in the motive gas stream for its own transport
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the transport function for both high-pressure and low-pressure gas streams into a single gas-gas ejector device. By combining these functions, the system achieves efficient gas transport without requiring separate compression systems, thereby reducing overall power consumption
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system minimizes rejected gas, increases the volume of gas processed at central gas plants, and optimizes power usage by utilizing available energy, thereby improving the operational efficiency of GOSPs.
Implementation Method 1
A gas-gas ejector is fluidically coupled to the first gas flow pathway and the second gas flow pathway. The gas-gas ejector is configured to drive gas flow using the gas from the gas reservoir as a motive gas.
Data Source
AI summary
Rejected gas recovery in gas-oil separation plants (GOSPs) is implemented. A gas phase is flowed from a GOSP to a central gas plant through a first gas flow pathway at a first flow pressure. Gas from a gas reservoir is flowed through a second gas flow pathway at a second flow pressure. The first gas flow pathway is separate from the second gas flow pathway. While flowing the gas phase through the first gas flow pathway, a decrease in the first flow pressure below a threshold flow pressure is determined. In response, a gas-gas ejector, which is fluidically coupled to the first gas flow pathway and the second gas flow pathway, is operated to drive a flow of the gas phase to the central gas plant using gas from the gas reservoir as a motive gas.