Why did my generator fault in cold weather? What can I do to stop this from happening again?
General information on what happens to gas in cold weather.
When it gets extremely cold, the problem with generators often isn't the machine itself. Instead, it's usually because the natural gas (NG) or liquid propane (LP) that fuels them can get a little water in it, which then freezes. This can block the fuel line. Here's a bit of background: normally, utilities manage the fuel to prevent this, but when temperatures drop really low, things can get tricky.
Think of it like this: the utilities don't always deal with these deep freezes because they don't happen too often. So, they might not be completely prepared to stop the fuel from freezing. In our documents, we've explained the complex steps utilities take to keep the fuel in good shape. But even with all their efforts, sometimes moisture sneaks in and freezes parts inside the fuel regulator, which is what helps the fuel flow correctly.
This freezing issue can get worse if the outside equipment, like gas regulators or meters, is covered in snow and can't vent properly. These parts are all outside of the generator, so as a homeowner, or even us as a service provider, we don't have much control over them. We understand how important it is for generators to work, especially in the cold, and if there was something we could do to prevent these issues, we would. But sometimes, these fuel problems are out of our hands.
Videos
I added these videos to help understand the process that the gas utility company must go thru to get the proper gas for your home or business.
Information on what dew points are
The dew point in natural gas refers to the temperature at which components of the gas mixture, such as water vapor or hydrocarbons, begin to condense into liquid. The dew point is a critical factor in natural gas processing and transportation because the presence of liquids can cause operational issues such as pipeline corrosion or blockages.
Water Dew Point: When the temperature gets to -5°C to -20°C (23°F to -5°F) that is the water dew point for natural gas. This means that if the temperature of the natural gas falls below this range, water vapor present in the gas will start to condense into liquid water. Controlling the water dew point is important to prevent the formation of hydrates, which can obstruct pipelines and equipment.
Hydrocarbon Dew Point: The hydrocarbon dew point is the temperature at which heavier hydrocarbons, like hexane, pentane, and butane, begin to condense out of the gaseous phase. The typical range for hydrocarbon dew point is from 0°C to -10°C (32°F to 14°F). Managing the hydrocarbon dew point is essential to ensure that the gas meets the specifications for transportation and use, as well as to maximize the recovery of valuable hydrocarbons.
In the natural gas industry, it's important to closely monitor and control these dew points to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the system. There are various processes and equipment, such as glycol dehydrators for water removal and cryogenic or refrigeration plants for hydrocarbon condensation, that are used to manage the dew points to within acceptable limits.
Idea area on what the utility does adjust for water in their process
Utility companies do adjust for water and hydrocarbon dew points in natural gas to ensure the gas meets quality specifications and to avoid the operational issues that can arise from the condensation of these components.
For water vapor, one of the main concerns is the formation of hydrates, which can occur if the temperature of the gas falls below the water dew point. Hydrates are solid, ice-like structures that can form at high pressures and low temperatures and can block pipelines and equipment. To prevent this, utility companies use dehydration methods to remove water from the gas. Common dehydration techniques include:
- Adsorption: Using materials such as desiccants (e.g., silica gel or molecular sieves) that adsorb water vapor.
- Absorption: Using liquid desiccants, such as glycol, in processes like glycol dehydration where the glycol "absorbs" water from the gas.
- Condensation: Cooling the gas so that water condenses and can be separated.
For the hydrocarbon dew point, utility companies need to ensure that the heavier hydrocarbons do not condense out at the temperatures and pressures encountered in the transportation and distribution system. This is managed by:
- Heating: Keeping the gas above the hydrocarbon dew point temperature.
- Refrigeration: Cooling the gas to condense heavier hydrocarbons for removal before the gas is transported.
- Expansion: Expanding the gas through a Joule-Thomson valve or turbo expander to cool it, causing heavier hydrocarbons to condense and be separated.
Utility companies carefully monitor the composition and temperature of the natural gas throughout the supply chain to ensure these parameters are controlled. This is important not only for maintaining the integrity of the infrastructure but also for meeting regulatory standards and contractual specifications for the gas. The quality of the natural gas must be within certain specifications before it can be delivered to customers for use in residential, commercial, or industrial applications.
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