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Vortex Pilot Gas Heater
Prepared by:
Gasficient Consulting Services
An application of the innovative products of
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Vortex Pilot Gas Heater (VPGH)
VPGH provide heat to pilot gas supply lines by
utilizing the vortex phenomenon whereby
pressure reduction and mass/energy separation
occur in a vortex tube.
Instead of combusting natural gas or using
electricity VPGH heat the pilot gas by using the
hot fraction of the vortex flow of natural gas
VPGH provide incremental heat to the pilot gas
stream roughly proportionate the vortex flow rate
and pressure differential

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VPGH - Vortex Pilot Gas Heater
prevents pilot regulator gas from freezing
at natural gas transmission and
distribution pressure regulation stations
(PRS):
VPGH-SP - Vortex Pilot Gas Heater, Single
Path - a single heating chamber to serve one
pilot.
VPGH-DP - Vortex Pilot Gas Heater, Dual
Path - two heating chambers to
simultaneously serve two pilots.
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VPGH Gas Flow
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Suggested Facility Selection Considerations
1) Maximum percentage of PRS flow provided by
VPGH
2) Minimum inlet to outlet pressure ratio 2.2:1
3) PRS Inlet Pressure Exceeds 20 Barg
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Maximal Flow Rates
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VPGH Temperature Increment
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VPGH
A steady and ready supply of pilot gas
heat without combusting natural gas or
using electricity!!!
Proven, reliable and clean...the only truly
green solution for pilot gas heat.
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VPGH Heating
For typical operating conditions incremental
vortex pilot heating can range from 20 to 55
Celcius
Specifications may stipulate that heating be
sufficient but that gas temperature not exceed a
maximum (eg 65 Celsius)
For pilot gas supplies that are warm (eg 25 C)
prior to entering the VPGH it is possible the pilot
gas temperature may be heated in the VPGH in
excess of specifications (eg 25 C + 55 C = 75 C)
As such under some circumstances over-heating
should be considered.
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Is Over-Heating by VPGH a Risk ?
To date based on > 2500 installations no single
case of overheating has been reported. It is
probable this may be attributed to the following:
While pilot gas may be heated in excess of 65 Celsius in a
VPGH the volume of gas and thus the heat energy carried in
the warm gas is very limited.
Upon leaving the VPGH some heat loss occurs from tubing,
restrictor and warming the body of the pilot regulator such
that the induced temperature rise of the non-metallic
components of the pilot regulator is limited and may not
exceed the 65 Celsius.
Notably pressure drop in the restrictor upstream of the pilot
regulator results in some J-T cooling of the gas before it
reaches the pilot regulator.
Pressure drop in the pilot regulator results in J-T and this
contributes to cool the body of the pilot regulator and the non-
metal components
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VPGH in Hot Climates
UVI has 2500 successful installations
Many installations are in regions having very hot
(>38 C) seasonal atmospheric conditions:
Turkey
Spain
Italy
Argentina
Australia
USA (including New Mexico, California,
Texas)
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Overheating Risk Mitigation
Irrespective of prior successful VPGH use, to
mitigate the risk of over-heating, we propose the
following system for GAIL
Installation of a calibrated pilot gas by-pass of
the VPGH facilities the reduction of the pilot gas
heat increment
The use of a globe valve allows very accurate
calibrated control of the flow bypassing the
VPGH.
An installation of a pilot gas bypass equipped
with a globe valve is shown in P & ID below.
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OVER TEMPERATURE PROTECTION
SYSTEM
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OVER TEMPERATURE PROTECTION
Globe valve position:
fully open then roughly 50% of the pilot supply gas will go
through the VPGH and 50% will bypass. This would reduce
the heat increment by 50% and ensure no over-heating.
If however more heat is required this can be achieved by
partially closing the globe valve to increase the percentage of
flow through the VPGH for any amount from 50% to 100%.
The calibration of the globe valve position to be
done at the time of installation and changed
seasonally if required.
Automation is an option at the discretion of the
customer
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Questions & Discussion