| Abstract | In the Oil and Gas Industry many pieces of equipment in the production field are fueled by the natural gas that is either produced on a well pad facility site or from a nearby gas pipeline. The problem with using directly produced natural gas as fuel is that, typically, it is very rich, or abundant in heavier hydrocarbons. The leaner the fuel, meaning fuel consisting of lighter hydrocarbons such as methane and ethane, burn better and have several benefits which are discussed later in this report. There are various methods of conditioning fuel which aim to reduce the fuel's energy content and increase its molecular percent in methane and ethane. This allows for the engine to burn off a cleaner fuel. In this particular test, the MTR FuelSep(R) system will be used as the method of fuel conditioning. The MTR FuelSep(R) system functions with the use of membranes, and this experiment was designed to validate its function, characterize its performance map, determine if it is economical to use, and discover any other benefits such as emission reduction. After gathering over 44 hours of testing data, a performance map was created which associated the differential pressure across the membrane with its performance index as well as its rate of return. Additionally, emission testing was conducted which shows the MTR FuelSep(R) system significantly reduces the content of CO and NOx in the compressor engine exhaust. Throughout this report more information will be provided on membrane technology, the design procedures, the results of the testing, and discussion of the unit's performance as well as performance in the future. |
