Complex Challenges, Proven Solutions
Reciprocating compressors in natural gas gathering and processing must accommodate great variety in gas composition, including non-hydrocarbons such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. Shale gas often contains particulates and contaminants that can shorten component life.
Add to this the use of portable compression equipment, or systems designed to be scalable as field pressure declines, and reciprocating compressors must cover a wide range of operability.
Challenges come from other areas as well, including regulatory requirements. Gas producers face national and local regulations regarding emissions and air quality, and reciprocating compressors are frequently targeted to meet reduction goals.
Cook Compression can partner with you to address these needs and other complexities unique to your application.
Emissions Solutions
Depending on your emissions objectives, Cook Compression emissions solutions range from repair services to component upgrades to complete system analysis.
Our repair services, including cylinder overhauls, restore components to factory specifications and clearances, providing like-new performance. We can also offer upgrades for enhanced sealing performance, whether through seal-enhancing rod coatings, advanced materials that extend the life of piston rings and riders, or COOK CLEAN purged packing cases to prevent fugitive emissions.
Sentrix™ thermal mass flow meters can help detect and quantify leakage and target the solution that works best for your equipment.
Don’t have the resources to do a full study on emissions reductions?
That’s where the Cook projects group can step in, adding their expertise to your team for diagnostics, engineering studies and the creation of a tailored, system-based solution.
Robust Valves
Along with impurities and potential debris in the gas, reciprocating compressors in natural gas gathering and processing must withstand high speeds, and valve failures are common. Cook Compression provides a range of robust, high-performing valve solutions to address this need.
Ring Damped Valve
The Ring Damped Valve is designed especially for high-speed compressors. This robust valve reduces impact forces and protects against impact fatigue. In addition, the design increases the flow area – significantly reducing the horsepower required to move gas.
MOPPET® Valve
For service in dirty natural gas, the multi-disc element MOPPET valve offers a proven, rugged construction able to extend service life, even in the presence of debris.
Optima™ Series Plate Valve
Reciprocating compressors in gas lift applications commonly rely on Optima Series valves, custom-engineered plate valves with a wide range of design options.
Related Case Studies
California Gas Producer Hits Emissions Target with Cook
To help a major gas producer meet local requirements to reduce cylinder emissions on 90% of its reciprocating compressors, Cook Compression implemented a comprehensive upgrade of cylinder-end components. At the heart of the upgrade was the COOK CLEAN packing case – a solution that also significantly improved packing case life.
Offshore Producer More than Doubles Valve Run Times
With the high costs of downtime on an offshore production platform, a multinational oil company battling frequent compressor valve failures needed a more robust valve, capable of delivering longer service life. The Cook Compression MOPPET valve has delivered.
Ring Damped Valve Saves Thousands in Energy Costs for Gas Gathering Facility
The quest for greater energy efficiency motivated a U.S. gas gathering facility to replace its compressor valves with patented Cook Ring Damped Valves. Analysis of the data revealed substantial benefits in valve flow and energy usage.