Energy Recovery by Reducing the Gas Pressure from the Main Pipeline to the Distribution Pipeline

The article considers the possibility of generating electrical energy in gas distribution stations, by using the potential energy of the pressure differential of natural gas, as a secondary energy source. A patent-information study was carried out. The object of the study is the energy recovery system in the gas transition from the main to the distribution pipeline. The subject of the study is to determine the dependence of the recovery efficiency on the magnitude of the pressure difference, the transported gas temperature, and also the distribution network gas flow in schemes with gas expansion-generator unit. To improve the energy efficiency of the gas reduction system, new schemes of plants for generating electricity, heat and cold have been proposed. As an optimization criterion, the recovery efficiency has been chosen. The research methodology, the scheme of the laboratory research stand, and the scheme of the measuring path are proposed. Due the lack of empirical data on the efficiency of gas pressure conversion in the reduction process, it is proposed to conduct a physical laboratory experiment by using full factorial experiment scheme.