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Greenhouse gas (GHG) is a gas in the atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process by which greenhouse gases trap heat in an atmospheric layer is also called the greenhouse effect or sometimes simply greenhouse. Greenhouse gases contribute to the warming of our atmosphere because they absorb the energy from sunlight and warm-up, rather like a greenhouse does.

Human activities such as burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas), manufacturing cement, clearing rainforest for agriculture and other things have increased greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. For example, greenhouse gases trap heat radiation near the Earth's surface – particularly over large flat surfaces such as cities and forests. The greenhouse effect is being accelerated by greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels, cutting trees down and other human activities: the greenhouse effect has been enhanced so that it can no longer be kept in check.

What are greenhouse gas emissions?

Greenhouse gas emissions are greenhouse gasses released by humans into the greenhouse effect. Emissions are greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned or when trees are cut down. For example, greenhouse gas emissions can come from burning coal in power plants, natural gas in vehicles, and clearing forests for farming. 

Who are the leading emitters of GHG?

In the oil and gas industry, greenhouse gas emissions are a genuine concern. Petroleum-producing Canada is home to some of the world's biggest greenhouse gas emitters. Though greenhouse gas emissions from Canada have been decreasing in recent years, this decrease isn't nearly fast enough for many environmental groups and governments. The same holds true for greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation industry.

Given the concerns about greenhouse gas emissions, many are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprints. One way is by installing a vent system with greenhouse gas capture solutions. These systems allow greenhouse gases to be captured inside tanks and containers filled with liquids or solids. Natural gas or greenhouse gas that's captured can then be re-used for various purposes, including fuel and fertilizer production.

When greenhouse gases are captured, they can help with greenhouse gas offset projects in communities looking to improve their green image. But greenhouse gas capture solutions also provide oil and gas companies with valuable information that can be used to reduce emissions more efficiently over time. 

What is natural gas?

Natural Gas is a combustible mixture of predominantly methane, and other gases, including ethane, propane, butane, and pentane. Natural Gas is found in the Earth's crust; it is produced by refining crude oil (petroleum) or extracting it from non-petroleum sources such as coal beds and decaying vegetation (wilderness). Natural gas is typically moved from its inception to end-users (stoves, heaters, etc.) through a series of pipes that make up an underground system called a gas distribution network.

Natural gas has become the largest single source of greenhouse gas emission globally due to its increasing use for electricity generation and home heating.

The capture and combustion of vented natural gas reduce greenhouse gas emissions by combusting methane and converting it to carbon dioxide, water vapour, and other combustion by-products. However, a portion of the vent gas may still be emitted if the collection system is not 100% effective or if the combustion device is not 100% effective at destructing methane.

HyperVent - an innovative vent gas capture system

24/7 Compression has a solution - HyperVent - to capture greenhouse gas emissions from natural gas sources and use the gas for various non-emitting purposes. The greenhouse gas emissions are collected through a vent gas capture system that can be fitted to almost any natural gas source.

Hyper Vent utilizes a subsonic, double-choke and gas to gas ejector. High-pressure motive gas passes through the ejector creating a suction port where zero pressure vent gas volumes are drawn in, mixed with the motive gas and discharged at a medium-pressure for non-emitting use.

How does HyperVent Work?

The HyperVent system is the ultimate in safety and efficiency. The zero governor or vacuum control regulator allows you to manage your desired backpressure while achieving high performance with a fixed-area ejector. In addition, it will continuously operate at optimal levels regardless of how much pressure there happens to be on hand; this means less wasted energy as well!

The constant release of methane into the atmosphere is a serious problem. Recovering this gas and using it as fuel for engines will reduce our environmental footprint and cut down on expensive retrofitting measures needed with traditional air/fuel ratio control systems.

Advantages of HyperVent

  • Gathers vent gas without creating a backpressure on venting sources. Hyper Vent's innovative functionality provides total or individual inlet pressure control of one or more venting sources.
  • No moving parts, motors, pumps.
  • Does not require an additional control panel, uses local PLC tie-in or tight pressure switch control.
  • Recovering engine fuel gas does not require additional air-fuel ratio control systems to be added.
  • Hyper Vent has patent applications filed.

There hasn't been a better time to upgrade, especially if you're looking to reduce your carbon footprint! 24/7 Combustion is your solution, contact us today, and we'll help you reduce your greenhouse emissions in no time!

Have you ever noticed when you're drinking an ice-cold drink on a hot summer day, the outside of your glass is wet? This is because the air around the glass cooled, and water from the air condensed onto the glass; this is the dew point temperature.

Very cold mineral water with ice in a misted glass bottles, dark background, selective focus

What is a Dew Point?

The dew point is the temperature when the air changes its state, from vapour to liquid. When air reaches below the dew point temperature at a particular pressure, the fluid will condense. If you are above dew point temperature, the liquid will remain in a gaseous state.

What is a Hydrocarbon Dew Point?

When natural gas is extracted, it has a mixture of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon components. For example, methane, a hydrocarbon component, typically makes up about 60-90% of natural gas mixed with other non-hydrocarbon components such as carbon dioxide or hydrogen sulphide. Depending on the wellheads, the composition will vary; this means that precise measurements of natural gas are essential to avoid damage to the equipment. 

Hydrocarbon dew point (HCDP) is the temperature at which a hydrocarbon component condenses and changes its state from vapour to liquid. Also referred to as hydrocarbon liquid drop-out. The higher the HCDP means there is a higher proportion of heavy hydrocarbon components. This is important for pipeline operators. If there are too many hydrocarbons, there is a potential risk of condensation forming in the pipeline.

How to Measure Hydrocarbon Dew Point

There are a number of different techniques for measuring HCDP. 

1. Cooled Mirror Dew Scope

This requires the operator to view a mirror over which the sample has flowed; it is then cooled. When the first drops of condensation begin is the temperature that is recorded.

2. Gas Chromatograph

This method is used to determine the concentration of each hydrocarbon element through the equation of state calculations. The condensing point of each component is identified and calculated to provide a hydrocarbon dew point for the whole mixture. However, there are limitations to this device, and the calculations can be inaccurate.

3. Automatic Optical Condensation Dew Point Analyzer

These instruments function similarly to the cooled mirror dew scope. The device has an optical surface with a depression which usually refracts light unevenly. A light is shined on this surface, and a photodetector looks at the image of the light shining back. A thermoelectric device cools the surface until condensation appears; this condensation alters the reflective properties of the surface. The mirror temperature is recorded with the desired level of condensation is seen.

 Find the Equipment & Services You Need Here Today

At 24/7 Compression, we offer services and packages for any facility, large or small. In addition, we have knowledge and experience in hydrocarbon dew point control. Contact us today for your gas compression needs.

When working with natural gas compression and similar equipment, it is inevitable to produce methane emissions. In addition, the growing production and utilization of natural gas in Canada has undoubtedly increased methane production.

What Exactly Is Methane?

Methane is a colourless, highly flammable gas. The primary usage of methane gas is everything we need that requires natural gas; this includes cooking and heating. For industrial companies, it is used to produce plastic, fertilizers and more.

Consequently, methane is a primary contributor to hazardous air pollutants and potent greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases trap and hold the heat in the atmosphere, which warms the Earth's surface. You may also know this as Global Warming. That said, natural gas burns much cleaner as long as it's contained. That means fewer harmful emissions overall than diesel or gasoline. 

Cleaner Natural Gas Conversions

Though eliminating methane emissions isn't possible, at 24/7 Compression, we are committed to providing greener solutions. After extensive job creation, roughly 15,000 person-hours, we're proud to have finished converting 25 Waukesha L7042GL lean burn technology engines to the new Waukesha L7044GSIS5 with catalyst miller cycle technology.

Pre-Conversion

PRE S5

Post-Conversion

Post S5

With methane abetment and emission reduction being the key focus point on this project, completing this was a great success and will positively impact our environment! Not only does this reduce the carbon footprint, but other benefits include a reduction in tier tax, additional HP, and having robust and reliable equipment.

Notable Emission Reductions

After the engine conversion, we reduced the total CO2e equal to 26,820 tonnes CO2e/year. This is the same as taking 8217 passenger cars off the road, the same as 17,933 homes' electricity use for one year! If this isn't huge, then we don't know what is.

Choose 24/7 Compression Today For Fuel Conversion Needs

We specialize in gas compression equipment and power generation packages. If you'd like to reduce your carbon footprint, contact us! We have locations in Alberta and British Columbia.