Episode 6

END USE

Natural gas has a wide range of end uses, from providing central heating and hot water in residential and commercial buildings to fueling power plants and generating heat for many industrial processes. Also, it is a key component in producing hydrogen. As well as providing an alternative fuel, hydrogen is processed into ammonia which then becomes a key component of fertilizers and in the production of many everyday items, including plastics and textiles.

FIND YOUR APPLICATION

POWER GENERATION

GAS BOILERS

HYDROGEN PRODUCTION

POWER GENERATION

The main use of natural gas is generating electrical power. It can be used as fuel for gas turbines and provide the heating medium /boiler fuel for steam turbines.

Combined cycle gas power plant
The combined cycle power plant is an extension of the simple cycle plant. Here the waste heat from the gas turbine is used in a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) to heat up water. After the phase change from water to steam, it is used as a working medium in a steam turbine, whose rotation is used to drive a further generator. After passing the steam turbine, condensers convert steam to water and restart the cycle.

Simple cycle gas power plant
In this “simple” arrangement, a gas turbine is connected to a generator. Natural gas is burned in the turbine. The turbine shaft rotation is transmitted to a generator where, with the help of magnets, rotation or kinetic energy is converted into electricity.

Natural Gas Preheater

Condensate

Steam

Natural Gas

Air

Gas

Turbine

Generator

Lubricating
Oil Cooler

Exhaust Gas (Hot)

Closed Circuit Cooler

Electricity to Grid

Transformer Oil Pump

Transformer Oil Water Cooler

Steam Turbine

Cooling Water

Transformer Oil Air Cooler

Electricity to Grid

Closed Circuit Cooler

Transformer Oil Air Cooler

Transformer Oil Pump

Generator

HRSG

Transformer Oil Water Cooler

Cogeneration power plants

Cogeneration plants use the waste heat from the gas turbine to heat up water. In contrast with a combined cycle power plant, this heat is transferred as district heat to nearby residential areas.

Natural Gas Preheater

Natural Gas

Air

Gas

Turbine

Generator

Lubricating
Oil Cooler

Closed Circuit Cooler

Electricity to Grid

Transformer Oil Pump

Exhaust Gas
Hot

Exhaust Gas
Cold

Hot water to district heating

Cold water from district heating

Economizer

Transformer Oil Air Cooler

Transformer Oil Water Cooler

Power Generation

WHITEPAPER: MICROTURBINES

Microturbines are small gas turbines which have evolved from the turbocharger technology found in cars, trucks and small jet engines.

On LNG storage vessels, for example, microturbines can run on the LNG boil off gas. By using an energy source that would otherwise be wasted, they reduce a vessel’s carbon footprint and improve its overall efficiency. Similarly, in combined heat and power facilities, the use of microturbines to recover and use waste heat has led to an 80% increase in efficiency levels.

GAS BOILERS

Gas boilers are used widely in industrial applications: They provide steam and hot water to generate power in steam turbines, for processes in the food, chemical and ceramics industries. Economizers increase the efficiency of boiler operation by using waste heat from exhaust gas to preheat water or other process media.

Economizer

Water

Pre-heated water

Exhaust Gas

Gas Boiler

Steam

Natural Gas

Air

Exhaust Gas

Gas Boilers

HYDROGEN PRODUCTION

Steam Reforming
Steam reforming, or steam methane reforming, is a method for producing syngas (hydrogen carbon monoxide, some carbon dioxide) through the reaction of hydrocarbons with water. Commonly natural gas is the feedstock. The main purpose of this technology is to produce hydrogen, also known as grey hydrogen. The reaction is represented by this equilibrium: CH4 + H2O ⇌ CO + 3 H2