Method and apparatus for providing over-pressure protection for an underground storage cavern

摘要

A method and apparatus is provided which will provide over-pressure protection for an underground storage cavern by reducing the pressure of a pressurized gas stream originating from the an underground storage cavern to form a lower pressure gas stream, monitoring the pressure of a lower pressure gas stream and stopping the flow of the lower pressure gas stream to the pipeline should the pressure of the lower pressure gas stream exceed a threshold value.

主权项

1. A method for providing over-pressure protection for an underground storage cavern and a pipeline in fluid communication with the underground storage cavern, wherein the underground storage cavern is a salt cavern, the method comprising the steps of:
providing an over-pressurization system comprising a pressure monitor, an isolation valve, and a pressure relief valve, wherein the isolation valve is fluidly connected between underground storage and the pipeline, wherein the pressure relief valve is fluidly connected between the underground storage and the pipeline, wherein the pressure relief valve is downstream of the isolation valve; receiving a pressurized gas from the underground storage cavern, wherein the pressurized gas is at a pressure exceeding the pressure within the pipeline; flowing the pressurized gas through a pressure reducing device configured to reduce the pressure of the pressurized gas received from the underground storage cavern; monitoring the pressure of the pressurized gas downstream of the pressure reducing device using the pressure monitor; introducing the pressurized gas to the pipeline if the pressure of the pressurized gas downstream of the pressure reducing device is below a first threshold value; and closing the isolation valve upstream of the pressure relief valve if the pressure of the pressurized gas downstream of the pressure reducing device is at or exceeds the first threshold value, such that the flow of the pressurized gas to the pipeline and the pressure relief valve is stopped.