A new, patent-pending product that puts fugitive emissions to work is helping reduce natural gas engine fuel costs while simultaneously ensuring there are less fugitive emissions released into the environment.

This groundbreaking technology called “SlipStream™” is designed to use fugitive and vented combustible hydrocarbons as a supplementary fuel source for natural gas engines without the need for recompression or use of a vapour recovery unit.  SlipStream™ is capable of displacing as much as 50% of the main engine fuel with fugitive sources, but can easily be scaled down to less-than 10% if fugitive sources are small.

Fugitive hydrocarbon emissions are found at most compression facilities involved in the production, processing and transportation of natural gas.  Methane is one of the most common fugitive gases found at these facilities.  It is a greenhouse gas significantly more potent than carbon dioxide.  By using methane to supplement an engine’s energy source instead of allowing it to be burned in the vent stack or freely released to the atmosphere, SlipStream™ demonstrates positive economics and impact on the environment.

SlipStream™ is the latest addition to the REMVue® product family offering from REM Technology Inc. (“RTI”).  The system can be easily integrated into new or existing installations and used on engines from 100 to 4,000 horsepower.  It can also be used with multiple fugitive sources at the same time.

The first SlipStream™ installation was a group initiative between RTI, Power Ignition and Controls (“PIC”), CETAC-West and Alberta Innovation and Science.  The goal was to find a suitable location where SlipStream™ could be installed, run and tested under realistic conditions.  RTI and PIC searched for a natural gas producer interested in fuel gas savings and reduction of greenhouse gases; eventually contacting Petro-Canada.  It was apparent after the initial meeting that Petro-Canada was excited about SlipStream™ and its potential benefits.  Within a few weeks of those first talks, approval was granted for a SlipStream™ system to be installed at one of Petro-Canada’s booster facilities northeast of Medicine Hat, Alberta.

This booster facility was chosen because of its pre-existing systems that would readily facilitate the SlipStream™ installation.  The site had two Waukesha 3524 GSI engines driving Sullair PC40L screw compressors.  The SlipStream™ system was designed to collect instrument vent gases from both units and provide it as supplemental fuel to Unit 2, which already had a REMVue®– 500/AS system.

“The SlipStream™ technology is a very simplistic, pro-active approach towards utilizing fugitive emissions,” said Randy Rosenau, Maintenance Coordinator for Petro-Canada’s Production Operations in Medicine Hat.  “What a great way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase production at the same time.”

Since commissioning was completed July 27, 2007, SlipStream™ has proven it can reliably and safely control the supplementary fuel delivery to an engine under a wide range of operating conditions.  Approximately 10% of the total engine fuel flow at 90% load was realized under steady state operation.  Based on a gas cost of $7/GJ and an engine uptime of 97%, this would translate to over $40,000 in fuel savings every year.  The reduction in vented emissions would equate to over 2,560 tonnes/year of CO2(e) — the equivalent of removing an estimated 500+ cars per year off the road.  With the addition of the SlipStream™ technology, this site’s greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced to less-than 60% of its previous value.

These initial field results have exceeded expectations of all involved.  “When I heard that we had flowed gas through the SlipStream™, and in a controlled manner, that was fantastic!” Rosenau said, adding that he was looking forward to watching SlipStream™‘s further developments. 

The next step in proving the SlipStream™ technology takes the form of a third-party evaluation, which is scheduled to happen shortly.  Results of this evaluation as well as more information on the SlipStream™ system will be released in future issues of the Spartan Controls newsletter.