Energy Forum. Process automation. Control engineering solutions for gas transfer stations

Because of a change in natural gas suppliers in 1997 at the Meppen power plant of RWE Energie AG it was necessary to build a new natural gas transfer station. Modern control engineering for this decentralized transfer station optimizes operation and enables the control and observation of the eight-km distant control room at the Meppen power plant. Also, the planned expansion of the power plant can be realized in a simple manner. The discussion covers introduction; the concept of the communication between the control point and the gas transfer station and the Simatic PCS7 PS power solution S7 process control system. The 600 Mw (electrical) natural gas power plant of Meppen is 10 km north of the city of Meppen in Emsland. After three years construction time, it went into operation in 1974. In 1970 RWE contracted with the NAM (Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij) to supply natural gas. The connection of the power plant to the Dutch natural gas fields was effected on the German side over the power plant's own 18 km long 600 mm dia 64 bar pipeline. Since 1997, after the conclusion of this contract, the power plant is now supplied with natural gas from the Münster natural gas sales company. A new gas transfer station was built at the connection between the power plant's natural gas line and the Münster line. Here the gas quantities taken up are measured and their heating value measured and registered. The gas transfer facility is observed and controlled using the Siemens/KWU Simatic PCS7 PS from a central control panel at the 8-km distant power plant. Diagram.