Black oily dirt in natural gas lines
Black oily dirt in natural gas lines
(OP)
We recently found large amounts of black oily, sandy dirt in the suction line of a natural gas compressor.
It seems the pollution has come from the discharge line as the suction line check valves has failed?
Does this make sense?
Any idea how that kind of dirt can get into a natural gas line?
It seems the pollution has come from the discharge line as the suction line check valves has failed?
Does this make sense?
Any idea how that kind of dirt can get into a natural gas line?





RE: Black oily dirt in natural gas lines
The "oil" is most likely compressor lube or seal oil.
Can dirt get into gas lines? Yes it can.
RE: Black oily dirt in natural gas lines
How shall compressor lube or seal oil get there?
RE: Black oily dirt in natural gas lines
It could even be crude oil from field seperators that carry over.
RE: Black oily dirt in natural gas lines
how many, how often, and how much valve grease is injected in valves upstream of compressor?
any oil injection systems upstream of compressor in question?
have sample collected and sampled.
good luck!
-pmover
RE: Black oily dirt in natural gas lines
RE: Black oily dirt in natural gas lines
RE: Black oily dirt in natural gas lines
we were just informed, that the dirt is in the discharge line, not in suction.
Does this change anything? how can that get through a compressor?
RE: Black oily dirt in natural gas lines
is there a functional scrubber or filter upstream of compressor?
has the substance sample been analyzed for composition?
what is compressor application (i.e. compressor station, processing facility, refrigeration facility, etc.)?
you need to provide these details, among others, so others can aid you in getting better answers . . .
good luck!
-pmover
RE: Black oily dirt in natural gas lines
Hope I was of some help
Miguel M.