Page 10 - Gas_Plants

Source: Open Grid Europe

Gas pressure control

and measurement systems

Gas pressure control and measurement systems are power If no lightning and surge protection measures are taken,
supply systems. In Europe, they are subject to the Council there is a risk that a part of the measurement equipment
Directives 2004/67/EC and 1999/92/EC*, which were trans- or even the entire measurement equipment will fail as a
posed into local laws and standards. result of lightning effects. The follow-up costs of such a
failure may be high and typically involve investments for
One of the main functions of gas pressure control and re-establishing the system functions. To address the risk of
measurement systems is to control and calculate gas vol- damage resulting from a lightning strike and to increase
umes. This is an important economic aspect for operators. the availability of gas pressure control and measurement
systems, external and internal lightning protection measures
Compared to conventional systems, the new electronic sys- must be taken.
tems in gas pressure control and measurement systems only
have a low immunity to transients. In addition, the structural
conditions of widespread outdoor systems with widely dis-
tributed measurement equipment and controllers increase
the risk of interference by lightning discharges or surges.

* 2004/67/EC: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning measures to safeguard security of gas supply
10 1999/92/EC: Minimum requirements for improving the safety and health protection of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres