Overview

Electric actuators provide pressure regulation on natural gas distribution networks in the USA, automating the process and reducing emissions.

Challenge

Natural gas distribution networks have a significant number of pressure reducing stations which regulate downstream gas pressure for delivery to domestic consumers.

Solution

These stations can be a hot spot for methane emissions. These systems use pipeline gas as the motive power, and when adjustments are made, methane is vented to the atmosphere. An engineer must also travel to site to manually change a set point, resulting in emissions through their transport. The customer needed a solution that would eliminate these fugitive emissions and automate the pressure adjustment process.

Result

Fitting a PAX electric actuator directly to a regulator (to create a motorised regulator assembly) allows for remote operation of the set point. The system reduces emissions (the PAX uses electricity for power, not the pipeline gas); there is no constant bleed or venting of gas. No product is wasted.