Technological Adaptation in Power Evaluation System for a Large Natural Gas Engine

The purpose of this project is to develop and test a technological adaptation in an internal combustion engine to increase its efficiency and the reliability of its system of monitoring and measurement of power. Such engines are used as propellants in reciprocating compressors of natural gas (NG) in compression stations installed in the company TBG S/A (owner and operator of the Bolivia Brazil Pipeline). These compression stations receive NG at a pressure of up 58kgf/cm² and compress natural gas at a pressure of up 75kgf/cm². Currently the measurement of power expended by the compressors that compress the NG does not happen precisely; this measurement is an important parameter for the operation of the equipment. After studies, it was found that this lack of precision is one of the factors that sometimes cause the operation of compressors off the power range recommended by the engine manufacturer. When these deviations occur, the compressors are subject to detonation phenomena and other malfunctions causing many stops, decreasing engine life and consequential damages. To solve this problem, a technological adaptation was done in the engine, with the installation of new sensors for pressure, oxygen, temperature and speed measurements, in conjunction with data acquisition system. These data were subsequently used in an equation recommended by the engine manufacturer to calculate the engine power. Thus, it was possible to provide the operator of a compressor all the operating parameters that allows the engine to work closest to the maximum power without reaching the critical point of detonation.