EGCR News

Technical Tuesday: Over-pressure Protection Devices

November 30, 2021

Greenhouse Gas Leak Survey you say? Here is a nice place to start – these are over-pressure protection devices on valve bodies that can prevent integrity issues while the valve is closed. Think thermally related (sunshine for instance) pressure increase. It’s been said that these are better suited for liquid applications as the over-pressure potential is much higher with a liquid product when compared to a gas. So if one of these is leaking, talk to your valve people for guidance. Want to know more? Join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable on May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

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Technical Tuesday: Filter/Strainer Pot

November 23, 2021

Protect the Barrier… There are 2 distinct areas in a filter/strainer pot — the clean side and the dirty side. How do you drain a filter/strainer for maintenance? Many facilities have an air fitting in the filter bleed that technicians use to force the oil out via an air blanket. Is that an issue? It can be, depending on filter rating and air pressure. It can also lead to a false sense of security that influences the technician to pull the filter early, thereby contaminating the clean side of the filter/strainer housing. This is definitely a task where patience is a virtue. Want to know more? Join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable on May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

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Technical Tuesday: Inspecting a Master Rod Cap

November 16, 2021

Some folks say you never outgrow your first crush. We sure hope that is true with bearings. This is a master rod cap from a Cooper Bessemer 8V-250. Want to make sure you are looking for the right things when inspecting the cap? Would you also like to learn when and how to repair the fitment? We can help. Join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable on May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

Have a tip? Do you have a technical tip to share? Submit your tip, along with an associated image and we may include it in our Technical Tuesday social media posts, blog posts and emails.

CH4 Facts: Food Safety

November 11, 2021

OK, now I am interested. We have discussed healthcare and agriculture, now let’s go to the place where the 2 topics meet: food safety. The ability to safely preserve food has been a game changer for civilizations. Humans no longer had to follow the hunter/gatherer model that required people to be nomadic. A key ingredient to many methods of food preservation is heat. Lots of heat. Whether you are in a commercial canning operation, or doing it like your granny taught you, we need heat to kill micro-organisms like bacteria that lead to food spoilage. Often, natural gas serves as a fuel source either directly, or indirectly through power generation. If you have a specific question, send us a message or plan to join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable, May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh, PA.

EGCR: Educating the Oil & Gas Industry Since 1973

Technical Tuesday: Shipping a Turbo

November 9, 2021

Well, it may not have been burned up when it left there… but it was when it got here. Continuing our ‘how do you get it to the shop series’… shipping a turbo in for work? Make sure you cover the air inlet and outlets securely. Like really securely, with bolts and stuff. If not, your turbo might try to make boost at highway speed with no oil pressure. Want to know more? Join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable on May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

Have a tip? Do you have a technical tip to share? Submit your tip, along with an associated image and we may include it in our Technical Tuesday social media posts, blog posts and emails.

CH4 Facts: Transporting Agricultural Products

November 4, 2021

I think we have just about covered agriculture, right? We have scraped the surface on the topic of the use of natural gas in agriculture, but there is still one huge facet we haven’t talked about — transportation. I know we covered it in healthcare, too, but it is even more relevant and vital in agriculture. From the grain carts active in the fields, the 18-wheelers hauling products to the grain bins, and the rail cars, barges, and ships that transport products regionally and internationally, transportation is interwoven with agriculture. Natural gas plays a huge role in the manufacture, operation, and maintenance of the transportation industry. If you have a specific question, send us a message or plan to join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable, May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh, PA.

EGCR: Educating the Oil & Gas Industry Since 1973

Technical Tuesday: Shipping Engine Components

November 2, 2021

Bouncy, Bouncy, Bouncy… This is a crankshaft from a Clark TCVD -16 and it was removed to be sent in for repair. But how do you get it to the shop? We have all seen those arched deck trailers that are in use today. They are designed to flatten out when loaded but if you have ever seen the same amount of force needed to correct a crankshaft bend, you can see where this might pose a problem. Trailer preload, bumps in the road and miles traveled can render a bent crankshaft. When shipping engine components prone to bending like a crank, cam, frame, etc., require the trucking company to use a true flat deck trailer. Want to know more? Join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable on May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

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CH4 Facts: Natural Gas Helps Preserve a Harvest

October 28, 2021

Oh, so natural gas is critical to plant growth in agriculture? Yes it is, but natural gas can also play an important role in preservation of the harvest. Plants ranging from corn to tobacco can require drying for moisture reduction and preservation. The ability to artificially accelerate drying with heat and air movers can add much needed flexibility in a farmer’s schedule. This ability can even allow production in geographical areas with reduced growing seasons. Natural Gas serves as a fuel source for much of this equipment either directly or through power generation stations that deliver electricity to the equipment. If you have a specific question, send us a message or plan to join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable, May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh, PA.

EGCR: Educating the Oil & Gas Industry Since 1973

Technical Tuesday: Indicator Valves

October 26, 2021

Safety Alert! These are indicator valves. We use these to collect pressure data from inside compressors and power cylinders. These are not interchangeable. The power cylinder valve will work on a compressor sample point, but the compressor valve will fail when exposed to combustion. Notice the difference in the shape and handles. Pro Tip: Don’t over-tighten the Power Cylinder Indicator Valve screw — it can lead to future difficulties. New to the industry and want to know more? Join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable on May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

Have a tip? Do you have a technical tip to share? Submit your tip, along with an associated image and we may include it in our Technical Tuesday social media posts, blog posts and emails.

CH4 Facts: Let’s Talk Greenhouses

October 21, 2021

More on Agriculture? Yep… let’s talk greenhouses. Greenhouses play a critical role for food and plant production. These operations allow farmers to plant indoors weeks ahead of the day it is safe to plant outside. Greenhouses also allow for out of season production and flowering in any climate. There is even a productive greenhouse in Antarctica. Natural gas plays a key role in maintaining a hospitable environment in greenhouses as well as the manufacture of the glass and material components. If you have a specific question, send us a message or plan to join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable, May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh, PA.