BBSE2001 Utility y Services

http://www.hku.hk/bse/bbse2001/

Gas Supply
Dr. Sam C M Hui
Department of Mechanical Engineering The University of Hong Kong E-mail: E mail: cmhui@hku.hk cmhui@hku hk
Dec 2009

Contents
Introduction Design Considerations Gas Supply in Hong Kong

Introduction
Gas supply (fuel): town gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas
Revitalisation of natural gas in the world
e.g. g discovery y in South China Sea & North Sea (UK) ( )

Combustion at the point of use Cleaner Cl than h solid lid fuel f l (e.g. ( coal) l) and d oil il Conveyed y in a one-way y pipe p p system y
Typical pressure: 1-2 kN/m2

Risk Ri k of f gas explosion! l i ! Safety S f t is i very important i t t

Do you remember these accidents? What type of gas is this?

Gas explosion accident in N Ngau T Tau K Kok k (11 (11.4.06) 4 06)

(http://zonaeuropa.com/20060412_1.htm)

Gas explosion accident in T i Chuk Tsui Ch k Garden, G d Wong Tai Sin (30.10.02)

Three types of common fuel gas:

Town gas
Made from coal or oil High hydrogen content Much carbon monoxide (poisonous) CV = 17-18 MJ/m3 Higher Hi h b burning i velocity than natural gas Distributed in pipes

Natural Gas
Natural reserve Mainly methane Almost free of CO CV = 37 MJ/ MJ/m3 Lower burning velocity l i than h towngas Distributed at higher pressure than towngas

LPG
Made from oil Propane or butane CV (propane) = 95 MJ/m3 Distributed in cylinder or pipes

* CV = calorific value (i.e. heat energy content)

Design Considerations
Installation
Pipe arrangement similar to water supply Gas pipes must have fall & drain points Underground pipes protected by bitumen or denso tape (to prevent leakage) Naturally ll ventilated il d spaces is i preferred f d Early y detection of leakage g Gas company should be consulted

Gas main usually near the road

What is this?

Gas supply to a house

(Source: Hall, F. and Greeno, R., 2008. Building Services Handbook)

Where to put the gas pipe riser?

Gas supply to flats

(Source: Hall, F. and Greeno, R., 2008. Building Services Handbook)

Design Considerations
Meters
Gas meter: must be sited conveniently for access Meters remain the property of gas company Components:
Main control cock P Pressure governor A bypass pipe (for large/industrial installation) Test points Earth bonding g( (for electrical safety) y)

Check this at your home! Domestic gas meter

(Source: Hall, F. and Greeno, R., 2008. Building Services Handbook)

What are the main differences with domestic one?

Industrial gas meter

(Source: Hall, F. and Greeno, R., 2008. Building Services Handbook)

Design Considerations
Flues
Low-level flue gas discharge
Much simpler than solid fuel or oil

Sufficient dilution with fresh air

Manage the heat and air pollution

Small S ll gas appliances/cookers: li / k indoor i d discharge di h p in discharge g Water vapour Vitreous clay & asbestos cement pipes B l Balanced d flue fl gas water t heater h t

Do you have this at your home?

Balanced flue gas-fired instantaneous water heater

(Source: Hall, F. and Greeno, R., 2008. Building Services Handbook)

How to design and locate gas water heaters?

Wh are the What h key k design d i factors? f ?

(Source: www.emsd.gov.hk)

Design Considerations
Gas pipes
Most common materials: mild steel to BS 1387
Copper & uPVC are used in some countries

Precautions
Should not fitted inside chamber or pipe duct with electrical devices (sparks may cause fire or explosion) Spacing & insulation when contact with other service (reduce the risk of excessive heat and leakage) Sufficient free area for ventilation in gas pipe shafts (such as grille at the highest point)

Design Considerations
Gas pipe sizing
It depends on gas pressure of incoming service & that h required i d by b appliances li Found from manufacturers literature or calculated from heat output & efficiency
Most gas appliance has efficiency of 75% Maximum allowable gas pressure drop = 75 Pa

Gas flow rate (Q, l/s) can be calculated as: H H = appliance pp heat output p (kW) ( ) Q eff = appliance efficiency eff GCV GCV = gross calorific value (MJ/m3)

Gas Supply in Hong Kong

Types of fuel gas
Towngas (83% market in 2008)
Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited 1.67 million customers; 27.6 million MJ town gas sales Even split between domestic & commercial/industrial Production plants: at Tai Po & Ma Tau Kok Using naphtha and liquidified natural gas (LNG) as feedstock (also some landfil gas) High pressure pipeline & distribution network

(Source: www.hkcg.com)

Town Gas Characteristics

Chemical Composition p Carbon Dioxide Carbon Monoxide Methane Hydrogen Physical Properties Calorific Value Specific Spec cG Gravity a ty Wobbe Index Weaver Flame Speed
(Source: www.hkcg.com)

% 19.5 3.0 28 5 28.5 49.0 % 17.27 0.52 0 5 24.00 35.00

Gas Supply in Hong Kong

Types of fuel gas (cont (contd) d)
LPG (17% market in 2008)
Are you using LPG at home?

Liquefied C3 (propane) or C4 (butane) Suppliers: Shell, Mobil, Esso, Caltex & CRC Some 664,000 customers + 59 LPG filling stations About 59% sales in cylinders; others in piped systems Safety issues VERY IMPORTANT!
Danger to their own own, vicinity & firemen

Natural gas (LNG for towngas)

Also used in electricity generation (by CLP)

Gas Installation Work

Classes of Competent p Person
1. Testing & certification of LPG cylinders, tanks, vaporisers & mains 2. Inspection & certification of LPG compounds & cylinder stores 3. Examination & certification of gasholders 4. Installation, commissioning g and maintenance of LPG tanks, vaporisers, pipework, pressure regulators and associated equipment 5. Installation, commissioning and maintenance of LPG pipework, pressure regulators and associated equipment 6. Repair and maintenance of LPG vehicles

Further Reading
Avoiding Avoiding Danger from Gas Pipes Pipes by Gas Authority, EMSD, Hong Kong IOP Plumbing Engineering Services Design Guide, Section E: Piped Gas Services Guide

Web Links
Gas Authority, EMSD, Hong Kong
http://www.emsd.gov.hk/emsd/eng/pps/gas.shtml Gas Safety Ordinance (Cap. 51) Publications: Codes or Practices and Guidance Notes Registers i pp y How to Apply

Web Links
Hong g Kong g and China Gas Company p y Limited
http://www.hkcg.com/ Gas production & network Gas safety Underground gas pipes (with safety videos)
Consequences of Gas Pipe Damage How to Read Gas Facilities Drawing Safety Precaution When Working in the Vicinity of Gas Pipe Introduction of Underground Gas Facilities Procedures Prior to Work Commencement E Emergency Handling H dli Procedure P d