Saturday 29 November 2014

WÖSTHOFF MIKROGAS® and ULTRAGAS® Analyzers

WÖSTHOFF MIKROGAS® and ULTRAGAS® Analyzers
Principle of Conductimetric Measurement
The conductimetric measurement principle utilized by H. Wösthoff, GmbH, introduces a previously metered sample gas into a suitable liquid reagent of measured electrical conductivity. The volumetrically proportioned streams of sample gas and liquid reagent combine, changing the conductivity of the reagent solution. The resulting difference in conductivity of the reacted reagent solution is proportional to the concentration of the sample gas being measured.

Gas Analyzer


The above figure shows an apparatus configuration in which liquid reagent conductivity is first measured at Electrode 1 (before introduction of the sample gas) and then again at Electrode 2 after the sample gas and reagent have thoroughly mixed in the reaction run and are again separated.

ULTRAGAS® Series

Gas Analyzers for Laboratory, Research and Ambient Measurements
Methodology and Application
Utilizing the principle of conductivity measurement, ULTRAGAS® instruments provide continuous reading or batch analysis for laboratory and pilot project applications; closed chamber research; environmental; specialty gas production analysis; petroleum, chemical, pharmaceutical and other industrial process laboratories; and ambient air applications involving one or more of the following gases: CO, CO2, CH4, NH3, H2S, SO2, HCl, COCl2, CWK, COS, CS2, HCN; other hydrocarbons. This direct wet-gas measurement principle does not require a dry-gas sample as with other analyzer measurement techniques.

Calibration
The amount and cost of compressed calibration gas standards is significantly reduced, since the required sample gas flow rate is so small (±3.5 l/hr).

ULTRAGAS® General Specifications
Single or Multiple
Measuring Ranges:
As low as 0-10 ppm; User Determined
As high as 0-5000 ppm; User Determined
Detectable limits: As low as 0.1 ppm
Accuracy: Better than 1% full scale
Zero Drift: Less than 0.3% of full scale per 24 hours
90% Time: 80/150 seconds
Sampling Flow Rates: Continuous: Sample gas 58 ml/min
Reagent 0.8-1.6 ml/min
Volume Required: Batch:
150 ml minimum
Temperature: 2-35 ºC
Sample Gas Pressure: Atmospheric
Signal/Display: 0/4-20 mA / recorded as ppm or % by volume; continuous reading analog or digital display; chart recorder display or other data (PC) interface; pre-set alarm
Maintenance Interval: User Determined
MIKROGAS® Series

Gas Analyzers for Continuous Emissions Monitoring (CEM);
Ambient Monitoring and Process Gas Analysis
Applications and Methodology
MIKROGAS® instruments employ the conductimetric measuring principle and continuously measure concentrations of SO2, HCl, H2S, NH3, Cl2, COCl2, COS CS2, HCN and other gases in stack and incineration emissions (CEMs), before or after cleaning; ambient air; standing tanks; waste treatment plants; petroleum, chemical and other industrial process streams.

This direct wet-gas measurement principle does not require the use of a dry-gas sample; nor is a dilution sampling probe required for CEM applications.
Interferences and Sample Loss
Reactive components or interfering gases contained in a sample gas stream are eliminated by filtration in the sampling probe; condensation; absorption; or chemical washing prior to entering the measuring system. Some measurement applications require use of heated sampling probes and lines to avoid sample loss.

Instrument Configuration
MIKROGAS® analyzers are available as stationary (wall mount, 19" rack, pedestal) or easily-portable units.

Calibration
MIKROGAS® analyzers may be calibrated directly at the instrument or at the CEM sampling probe. The amount and cost of compressed calibration gas standards is significantly reduced, since the required sample gas flow rate is so small.

MIKROGAS® General Specifications
Single or Multiple
Measuring Ranges:
As high as may be required; User Determined
As low as 0-1.0 ppm; User Determined
Detectable limits: Smaller than 2-5% full scale; as low as 0.04 to 0.10 ppm
Accuracy: Better than 2-3% full scale
90% Time: 80-160 sec
Sample Gas Flow: As low as 4.0-10.0 l/hr
Temperature: 2-45 ºC
Signal/Display: 0/4-20 mA; continuous reading analog or digital display; chart recorder display or other data (PC) interface; pre-set alarm
"O" Point Deviation: ± 0.73% over 4 week maintenance interval
Weight: 30 lbs. (Portable Unit)
Maintenance Interval: 4-6 weeks

Thursday 27 November 2014

Indian Railways Going Green the Bio-Diesel Way

Indian Railways Going Green the Bio-Diesel Way

Feature
The Bio-Diesel

             
           
*Sachinder Mohan Sharma 

With growth in the world economy the demand for energy and transportation has been increasing.  The BRICS nations have been growing and China and India today are consuming higher levels of fuel to sustain their growing economies.  The overall energy requirement in India is likely to increase from 549 Million tonne oil equivalent (mtoe) in 2011-12 to 1433 mtoe by 2031-32, a 2.6 fold increase.  The transport sector which currently consumes 86 mtoe which is about 16% of the energy consumption is likely to increase to 360 mtoe by 2031-32 and would be 25% of the total energy consumption.  The transport sector would grow by 4.2 times.  The transport sector consumed 57% of the oil in 2011-12 and this would go up-to 73% by 2031-32 in the business as usual scenario. About  97% of the fuel basket for transportation is based on petroleum and the balance 3% is equally shared by CNG, bio-fuels and electricity.  As per the current trends this mix would continue even in 2031-32.  If we look at the consumption pattern in the transport sector, the road vehicles consume 93% of the oil, 3% each is consumed by Railways and Airways and the balance 1% by waterways. 

            Indian Railways (IR) today has the largest passenger operation in the world and carries about 23 million passengers every day.  Recently it has also entered the billion tonne club and is expected to carry more than 1100 million tonne of freight traffic in the current year.  For providing transport services Indian Railways consumes 2.7 billion liters of high speed diesel and 13.9 billion units of electricity. Most of the electricity consumed is also produced using fossil fuels like coal, diesel etc. Higher use of fossil fuels means higher carbon foot prints in transpiration.  It is in this context that IR has envisaged in its vision 2020 to ensure that 10% of its energy needs are met through renewable.  Bio-diesel is a substitute for diesel and can be sourced from various raw materials.  It is green and renewable and can be blended with diesel and used without any modification to the locomotives. Use of B5 blend translates into a requirement of about 0.13 billion litres.   However, volatility of the oil market also impacts the demand/supply of bio-diesel since it is a substitute for diesel.

            In this context a bio-fuels 2014 conference which was recently held in Delhi on 5th November, 2014 was relevant for the transport sector.  The theme of the conference was “Energize Growth & Business opportunities in Biodiesel Sector in India”. It provided opportunity for policy makers, researchers, consultants, industry professionals, consumers, manufacturers and sellers from both private and public sector to interact and share their views on a common platform.  The inaugural address was delivered by the Hob’ble Union Minister of Railways, The Hon’ble Union Minister for Shipping Road Transport and National Highways, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj the Hon’ble Minister of State for Railways and Dr. Suresh Prabhu, ex. Power Minister, Government Of India. The meeting was also attended by the Chairman, Railway Board, Member Staff/Member Electrical, Ministry of Railways and other senior officials.  They stressed the importance of alternate fuels especially bio-fuels to reduce oil imports and carbon emissions. 

            Indian Railways has already conducted trials with 20% blending on diesel engine test bed at RDSO.  Field trials have also been done with B5/B10 and many units like Shakurbasti, Kharagpur, Perambur etc. have manufactured bio-diesel using small plants of upto 2000 literes per day. Railways also tried to plant Jatropha trees along the tracks but were not very successful.

            Issues of transportation, blending, storage and dispensing were deliberated during the conference.  The manufacturers gave their prospective on raw material, bio-diesel plants and technology for production.  Singapore based manufacturers JOil provided ideas on how to improve the yield and adopt best practices in production of seeds.  Bio cube from Australia show cased their technology for off grid bio diesel production with zero discharge. The socio-economic impact of bio-diesel was also deliberated upon by looking at linking science, living hoods and polices for sustainable bio fuels.  The conference tried to outline the road ahead for proliferation of bio fuel in the transport and Railway sector. 

Railways being the single largest bulk consumer have to set an example in the use of green fuels for sustainable transportation.  These efforts are essential as it is estimated that climate change mitigation and adaptation measures will cost around 5% of the world GDP and the developing countries would be worst affected.  


*Sachinder Mohan Sharma is Director E&R, Railway Board
(PIB Features)
Email: - featuresunit@gmail.com
himalaya@nic.in

Production Performance of Oil & Natural Gas Sector for the month of October, 2014

Production Performance of Oil & Natural Gas Sector for the month of October, 2014















I.       
A. CRUDE OIL PRODUCTION  – PERFORMANCE



Month / Period
Planned Target (TMT)
Actual Production (TMT)
%age achievement
Surplus(+) Shortfall(-) Vis-à-vis target (%age)
Surplus(+) Shortfall(-) over last year   (%age)






October, 2014*
3287.936
3217.659
97.9
-2.1
1.0



April,2014-October, 2014*
22685.338
21819.586
96.2
-3.8
-0.9



April,2013-October, 2013

22021.222






TMT: Thousand Metric Tonnes.                                                               *: Provisional.








B. COMPANY-WISE ACHIEVEMENT







Company / State
Planned Target (TMT)
Actual Production (TMT)
%age achievement
Surplus(+) Shortfall(-) (%age)



ONGC
2002.298
1903.284
95.1
-4.9



  Gujarat
414.583
386.640
93.3




  Andhra Pradesh
20.920
19.966
95.4




  Tamil Nadu
20.434
18.654
91.3




  Assam
107.858
88.605
82.1




Offshore
1438.503
1389.419
96.6




OIL
306.435
297.166
97.0
-3.0



  Assam
305.622
296.614
97.1




  Arunachal Pradesh
0.813
0.552
67.9




PRIVATE/JVC
979.203
1017.209
103.9
3.9



TOTAL
3287.936
3217.659
97.9
-2.1







C. REASONS FOR SHORTFALL



Company / State
Reasons for shortfall



ONGC (offshore)
Less production from few wells of NBP field / ESP reinstallation in three wells in Mumbai High. Out of three wells requiring workover, one well put on production and rig -deployment planned in remaining two wells in Nov/Dec 2014. Restricted production in Heera-Neelam due to clamping of sub-sea lines



ONGC (Gujarat)
More than envisaged decline of base potential in Kalol, Ahmedabad & Limbodara fields and closure of wells due to less off-take by M/s. GAIL affected production. Natural decline in brown fields, increasing water cut & more than envisaged decline in Gandhar and Nada fields affected production.



ONGC (Assam)
Natural decline in brown fields & frequent power failure affected production.



ONGC (Andhra Pradesh & Tamil Nadu)
Closure of wells due GAIL pipeline incident affected the production.



OIL (Assam & Arunachal Pradesh)
Less production due to consequential effects of Bhands & Blockades. Un-expected rise in water oil ratio/ gas oil ratio in few high productive wells  ( Bazaloni-3, BRK-8, MRN-37, BGN-14). Less contribution from drilling due to  non-availability of drilling Rigs: (a)One rig package has to be transferred from Assam to Mizoram for time bound NELP drilling. (b) Non-mobilisation of Drilling Rig by the contractor despite issue of LOA in advance and repeated follow up.



Pvt/JVCs  (Arunachal Pradesh)
Due to repeated sand ingress in existing wells.



Pvt/JVCs  (Gujarat)
Well ceased due to high water cut and SRP failure in two wells.



Pvt/JVCs  (Off-shore)
MA-6H Well underperforming, MA field was shutdown due to cyclone from 11-13 Oct 2014. 4 Wells in MA field are closed due to water loading in Eastern Off-shore.




A statement showing Crude Oil Production during October, 2014 and cumulatively for the period April,2014- October, 2014 vis-à-vis 2013-14 is at Annexure-I.







1



II.        A.  NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE



Month / Period
Planned Target (MCM)
Actual Production (MCM)
%age achieve-ment
Surplus(+) Shortfall(-) Vis-à-vis target    (%age)
Surplus(+) Shortfall(-) over last year     (%age)



October, 2014*
3127.168
2838.269
90.8
-9.2
-4.2



April,2014-October, 2014*
21189.612
19630.437
92.6
-7.4
-5.6



April,2013-October, 2013

20801.379






MCM: Million Cubic Metres.        




*: Provisional.



B.     COMPANY-WISE ACHIEVEMENT



Company / State
Planned Target (MCM)
Actual Production (MCM)
%age achievement
Surplus(+) Shortfall(-) (%age)



ONGC
2036.782
1879.775
92.3
-7.7



  Gujarat
116.956
122.253
104.5




  Rajasthan
1.320
0.359
27.2




  Andhra Pradesh
86.362
6.569
7.6




  Tamil Nadu
116.541
105.737
90.7




  Assam
38.567
40.790
105.8




  Tripura
119.035
96.326
80.9




  Mumbai High Offshore
1558.001
1507.741
96.8




OIL
251.418
222.133
88.4
-11.6



  Assam
227.748
201.989
88.7




  Arunachal Pradesh
1.860
1.033
55.5




  Rajasthan
21.810
19.111
87.6




PRIVATE/JVC
838.969
736.361
87.8
-12.2



  Onshore $
147.748
118.840
80.4




  Offshore
691.221
617.521
89.3




TOTAL
3127.168
2838.269
90.8
-9.2



$: Including Coal Bed Methane production.



C.     REASONS FOR SHORTFALL



Company / State
Reasons for shortfall



ONGC (Rajasthan)
Less offtake by consumers.



ONGC (Andhra Pradesh & Tamil Nadu)
Closure of wells due GAIL pipeline incident affected the production.



ONGC (Tripura)
Less offtake by consumers.



ONGC (Offshore)
Closure of wells (G1-10 & G1-11) as M/s GAIL stopped taking gas due to pipeline issues at their end. Production  resumed from one well from 31-Oct-14 in Eastern Off-shore. Less than envisaged production from Bassein field



OIL (Assam & Arunachal Pradesh)
Low gas withdrawal by gas customers. Due to pending commissioning of Gas Cracker plant by BCPL withdrawal is only @ avg. 0.02 MMSCMD against planned withdrawal rate of 0.535 MMSCMD (shortfall 16.5 MMSCM)



OIL ( Rajasthan)
RRVUNL :  frequent shutdown, operating at low efficiency due to grid problem.



Pvt/JVCs  (West Bengal)
 Delayed forest clearance received and Prolonged dewatering in new wells.



Pvt/JVCs  (Madhya Pradesh & Jharkhand)
Incidental CBM gas being produced in small quantities



Pvt/JVCs  (Off-shore)
Natural Decline of the RAVVA field. Non-associated gas wells are closed from 3-7-2014 after GAIL pipeline accident near Tatipaka and partial off take had begun wef 19.10.2014 by GAIL. 4 wells of MA and 10 wells of D1 D3 fields are closed due to high water cut and sand ingress. Less production due to well integrity issues & water loading of well in Western off-shore.



A statement showing natural gas production during October, 2014  and cumulatively for the period April,2014- October, 2014 vis-à-vis 2013-14 is at Annexure-II.

















2



III.  A. REFINERY CRUDE THROUGHPUT



    (IN TERMS OF CRUDE OIL PROCESSED)














Month / Period
Planned Target (TMT)
Actual Production (TMT)
%age achievement
Surplus(+) Shortfall(-) Vis-à-vis target             (in %age)
Surplus(+) Shortfall(-) over last year          (in %age)



October, 2014*
18629.731
19115.370
102.6
2.6
4.2



April,2014-October, 2014*
130204.702
127798.043
98.2
-1.8
-1.7



April,2013-October, 2013

129996.224






*: Provisional.



Note:



The crude throughput in IOC (Gujarat & Bongaigaon ), BPCL (Kochi), HPCL(Mumbai & Visakh), NRL, (Numaligarh),  HMEL (GGSR), BORL (Bina), EOL (Vadinar) and RIL (Jamnagar DTA )  refineries have exceeded their planned target. Crude throughput in BORL (Bina) and IOCL (Gujarat) is higher than the planned production due to deferment of planned shutdown.



The crude throughput in  IOC (Guwahati, Barauni, Haldia, Panipat, Digboi & Mathura),  BPCL (Mumbai), CPCL (Manali & CBR), MRPL (Mangalore), ONGC (Tatipaka) and RIL (SEZ) refineries was less than their planned target.



Company / State
Reasons for shortfall



IOCL, Panipat
Marginally lower crude throughput in line with HSD demand.



IOCL,Guwahati
Throughput is in  line with Assam crude receipt.



IOCL,Barauni
Throughput is restricted due to low demand of HSD.



IOCL, Haldia
Marginally shortfall due to low demand of  HSD.



IOCL, Mathura
Throughput is in  line with black oil demand.



BPCL, Mumbai
DHDS unit was shutdown for 20 days in the month of Oct`2014 for RGC motor repair job. This has resulted in build-up of HS HSD intermediate stock. Increase in intermediate stock. Increase in HS HSD stock has resulted in reduction of crude throughput.



CPCL , Manali
Crude throughput lower than plan due to CDU II shutdown for Atmospheric column tray modification jobs.



CPCL , Narimanam
Throughput is lower than planned due to reduced  availability of Crude (KG-D6 not available after April`14)



A statement showing refinery-wise production during the month of October, 2014 and cumulatively for the period April,2014-October, 2014 vis-à-vis 2013-14 is at Annexure-III.














IV.  REFINERY CAPACITY UTILISATION







Month
Utilisation (%)
Period
Utilisation (%)



October, 2014*
104.7
October, 2013- October, 2014
101.4



October, 2013
100.4
October, 2012- October, 2013
103.1




The refinery-wise details of the capacity utilisation during October, 2014 and cumulatively for the period April, 2014 - October, 2014 vies-a-vies 2013-14 are given in Annexure-IV.