A specific feature of the Capstone turbines

  JSC TATNEFT jointly with ZAO "Tatex" continues the work aimed at ensuring the rational use of associated petroleum gas (APG). The second program to improve efficient produced gas utilization is being implemented in TATNEFT. In the framework of this program Capstone micro-turbine power plants are implemented.

Rustam Minnikhanov, President of Tatarstan, got familiarized with a successful application of Capstone gas turbine plants for power generation from produced petroleum gas containing hydrogen sulfide. During a working visit Head of the Republic was accompanied by Shafagat Takhautdinov, General Director of JSC TATNEFT, and Irek Khairullin, General Director of ZAO "Tatex". The operating principle of Capstone micro-turbine power plants was clearly demonstrated to the President of the Republic at Onbiyskoye field DNS-30 (booster pumping station) of ZAO "Tatex". Similar gas turbine plants have been operating in the Republic since 2012 at Oil & Gas Production Boards of TATNEFT: "Yamashneft", "Bavlyneft" and "Elkhovneft", as well as at JSC "Tatoilgaz."

There are 24 gas turbine plants installed at JSC TATNEFT at present to improve the efficient utilization of produced associated gas. A specific feature of the Capstone turbines is the layout of the main components of the unit, which provides for placement of compressor, combustion chamber, regenerative heat exchanger, turbine and electric generator permanent magnets within a compact body. The generator is cooled by the airstream, which eliminates the need for a liquid cooling system arrangement and increases the reliability and efficiency of the equipment in service. A design feature of the engine is application of air bearings, which eliminates the necessity of using oil for lubrication. The shaft rotation speed is 62,000 rpm. The oilmen of the Republic started the experiment with Capstone in 2007 when a 30 kW micro-turbine was put into operation. Given a successful five-year experience of the plant’s operation, it was decided to build a more powerful gas turbine station with a total capacity of 1,600 kW. Two gas turbine plants of 800 kW capacity were commissioned in 2012, each of them composed of four 200 kW micro-turbine units. Today they successfully utilize produced associated hydrogen sulfide containing petroleum gas to generate electricity.

The plant consumes on average 12.5 thousand cubic meters of associated petroleum gas per day and generates about 30,720 kW of energy. One turbine consumes from 59 to 62 cubic meters of gas per hour. 0.3 cubic meter of gas is required for generation of 1 kW of energy. The resulting electricity allows covering 60-65 per cent of the production facilities needs at Onbiyskoye field owned by ZAO "Tatex". The payback period is about 6 years. Rustam Minnikhanov also inspected the operator's room of the booster pumping station, where the supervision of the facilities' operation is performed, including the gas turbine station.

The Power monitor displays the entire process of the plant. Using this program, technicians can Electricity monitor the process mode of the whole gas turbine plant complex starting with gas supply to the booster compressor station to gas feeding to the turbine. The turbine operation control system is based on application of the microprocessor automatic control system that allows Home electricity monitorthe plant’s operation by the existing staff. In addition, the possibility of using "remote control" is provided that allows professionals to diagnose and change operating parameters without going to the facility. The Head of the Republic highly assessed the work of Tatarstan oilmen in the field of associated petroleum gas utilization; it is the task of national importance today. In 2012 the Russian Federation government established a strict requirement of 95 percent utilization of associated petroleum gas. JSC TATNEFT has been the first company in Russia to ensure a 95 percent level of associated petroleum gas utilization.

The penalties for flaring associated petroleum gas have increased by 12 times since January 2013 and they will increase by 25 times in 2014. The implementation of TATNEFT's program to enhance the efficient utilization of produced associated gas will provide a guaranteed level of efficient associated gas utilization on the one hand, and on the other hand the oil production facilities, including the most remote ones, will be provided with its own electric power.

A weeklong event will be held at the NSCAD residence on Duke
Now Playing: Home energy management
A collaboration between the Lunenburg Makery, the NSCAD Lunenburg Residency Program and the Lunenburg Art Gallery Foundation is going to ensure that youth in the area will have lots to do over their upcoming March break.

Dubbed “A Week of Learning and Making for Kids of All Ages,” the event incorporates a wide variety of creative activities covering six days of the March break period.

“We’re collaborating to make March Break the funnest week ever in Lunenburg,” says Michelle Engel, manager of the Makery. “Starting March 9 we are providing making opportunities all day, all the way through the break.”

On that date the Lunenburg Art Gallery Foundation will sponsor the opening event, “Go Make and Fly a Kite,” which will be hosted by NSCAD’s resident kite expert Andrew Maize and kiting colleague Garry Woodcock of the foundation.

Running from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. at the Lunenburg Art Gallery, the day’s activities will see participants make their own kite with materials supplied, then later have an opportunity to fly it at the Gus Vickers Memorial Athletic Field.

A weeklong event will be held at the NSCAD residence on Duke Street beginning March 11 under the direction of Lunenburg Residency Program members Hangama Amiri and Craig Budovitch.

“We will have all of the students coming right to our studio,” Mr. Budovich says. “We’ll have a huge brainstorm to figure out what we want to do by way of a theme, and then everybody is going to work together in a collaborative way to make a large-scale mural,

Home energy monitor

then we’re going to install it at Bluenose Academy.”

He said it is hoped that students of all ages will be involved in the project and that those older will act as mentors for their younger peers.

The Lunenburg Makery will play host to a myriad of activities throughout the week, beginning on March 11 when a “Sew Day Camp” will be held at the studio.

Starting at 9 a.m. and running until 4 p.m., participants ages nine to 16 will learn machine stitching skills and tackle a pair of sewing projects — a colourful party bunting and their own tote bag.

March 12 will feature “Start a Veggie Garden” as the morning’s activity. From 9 a.m. to noon, youth of all ages will learn about vegetable gardening and plant seeds to take home. They will also make and sew felt row markers while learning hand-sewing skills.

Printmaking, which is also open to all ages, will be the topic of that afternoon’s 1 to 4 p.m. session with instruction in techniques, creating patterned paper and beautiful compositions.

March 14 kicks of with Ms Roher leading a workshop called “Watercolour World,” where participants ages six to 10 can “get messy” and learn tricks to create effects with watercolours.

That will be followed in the afternoon by “Design Your Own Stuffed Toy,” a workshop for all ages which teaches how to draft a pattern for your creation from templates, then cut, stitch and personalize it.

The Makery will also be at the Lunenburg Farmers’ Market that morning from 9 to 11 a.m.

The week’s activities wrap up on March 18 when Ms Roher conducts “Comic Jam” from 9 a.m. to noon for ages 13 to 17. Participants learn drawing and design techniques as well as ideas from comic artists for creating dynamic comics from their own stories.

“We’re keeping the afternoons open to all ages … the morning stuff is targeted at specific age groups,” Ms Engel says. “A lot of our projects are maybe more ambitious than what a lot of people want to do with kids. We do a lot of sewing and things like that, but we just think that the more you offer the kids, the more they can do.”

With Lunenburg’s growing reputation as an artistic community, Ms Engel feels it is appropriate that the week of activities will encompass an arts and crafts theme.