Natural Gas Modeling

Challenge

As a part of transforming its power generation fleet from coal to natural gas generation, a large utility client needed to understand the potential of converting an existing coal-fired boiler to partial natural gas load.

Solution

The Valdes Architecture & Engineering (Valdes) process team created a hydraulic model to study the existing natural gas supply and make recommendations for debottlenecking the system to provide additional flow. Valdes studied several alternatives to increase natural gas load. Options included replacement of the ignitors and modifications to the supply pressure, or a complete replacement of the coal burners with new natural gas burners. In each scenario, the Valdes process team identified and resolved bottlenecks in the piping system to alleviate sonic choking and excessive frictional losses. AFT Arrow, a gas flow simulation software, was utilized to generate the hydraulic model.

Impact

The process team was able to prove that the existing natural gas system was able to support the installation of up to 100% capacity of natural gas burners with a few key piping upgrades at minimal capital expense.

Services

Process

Piping & Plant Layout