Wellhead pressure reduction and electrical power generation
AssigneeTaylor Valve Technology, Inc.
InventorChristopher F. Rooney
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and method for generating electrical power through the reduction of a wellhead pressure. In accordance with various embodiments, a wellhead coupled to a subterranean formation supplies a first conduit with pressurized natural gas at a first pressure. A turbine receives the pressurized natural gas and induces a pressure drop in the gas as the gas induces mechanical rotation of the turbine. A mechanical linkage is coupled to the turbine, and an electrical generator is coupled to the mechanical linkage. The electrical generator generates electrical power responsive to the mechanical rotation of the turbine. The turbine and the electrical generator are operated to maintain an exit pressure of the pressurized natural gas at a predetermined second pressure less than the first pressure.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a wellhead coupled to a subterranean formation which supplies pressurized natural gas to a first conduit at a first pressure;
- a turbine configured to receive the pressurized natural gas from the first conduit and to induce a pressure drop in the gas as the gas induces mechanical rotation of the turbine;
- an electrical generator which generates electrical power responsive to the mechanical rotation of the turbine, wherein the turbine and the electrical generator maintain an exit pressure of the pressurized natural gas at a predetermined second pressure less than the first pressure;
- and
- a mechanical linkage between the turbine and the electrical generator, the mechanical linkage comprising a first hydraulic motor coupled to the turbine, a second hydraulic motor coupled to the electrical generator, and a closed conduit which accommodates a volume of pressurized hydraulic fluid, wherein the first hydraulic motor rotates responsive to mechanical rotation of the turbine to initiate a flow of the pressurized hydraulic fluid, the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid initiating rotation of the second hydraulic motor, and the rotation of the second hydraulic motor initiating rotation of the electrical generator.
A method comprising:
- receiving pressurized natural gas from a subterranean formation via a wellhead conduit which supplies said gas at a wellhead pressure;
- directing the gas through a turbine to induce a pressure drop in the gas and to induce mechanical rotation of the turbine;
- and
- using an electrical generator coupled to the turbine via a mechanical linkage to generate electrical power responsive to said mechanical rotation of the turbine, wherein the turbine and the electrical generator maintain the gas at a predetermined exit pressure less than the wellhead pressure, wherein the mechanical linkage comprises a first hydraulic motor coupled to the turbine, a second hydraulic motor coupled to the electrical generator, and a closed conduit which accommodates a volume of pressurized hydraulic fluid, wherein the first hydraulic motor rotates responsive to mechanical rotation of the turbine to initiate a flow of the pressurized hydraulic fluid, wherein the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid initiates rotation of the second hydraulic motor, and wherein the rotation of the second hydraulic motor initiates rotation of the electrical generator.
An apparatus comprising:
- a turbine which mechanically rotates in response to a flow of pressurized natural gas from a conduit connected to a natural gas wellhead;
- a mechanical linkage comprising a first hydraulic motor connected to the turbine, a second hydraulic motor and a closed conduit connected between the first and second hydraulic motors, the closed conduit accommodating a volume of pressurized hydraulic fluid;
- and
- an electrical generator connected to the second hydraulic motor, wherein the first hydraulic motor rotates responsive to mechanical rotation of the turbine to initiate a flow of the pressurized hydraulic fluid, the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid initiating rotation of the second hydraulic motor, and the rotation of the second hydraulic motor initiating rotation of the electrical generator to generate electrical power.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.