US 11,754,229 B2
Processes, apparatuses, and systems for capturing pigging and blowdown emissions in natural gas pipelines
Ivan Van Der Walt, Conroe, TX (US); Ben Heichelbech, Houston, TX (US); Connor Rivard, Houston, TX (US); and Vikrum Subra, Houston, TX (US)
Assigned to NEXT CARBON SOLUTIONS, LLC, Houtson, TX (US)
Filed by NEXT Carbon Solutions, LLC, Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Sep. 29, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/956,534.
Application 17/956,534 is a division of application No. 17/701,030, filed on Mar. 22, 2022, granted, now 11,560,984.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/165,475, filed on Mar. 24, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0015138 A1, Jan. 19, 2023
Int. Cl. F17D 3/14 (2006.01); B08B 15/00 (2006.01); F17D 3/16 (2006.01)
CPC F17D 3/145 (2013.01) [B08B 15/002 (2013.01); F17D 3/16 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A process for capturing blowdown emissions in a natural gas pipeline, the process comprising:
sending a blowdown gas to a compressor, wherein the blowdown gas is removed from a gas stream in the natural gas pipeline, and wherein the blowdown gas is transported out of the natural gas pipeline through a blowdown valve;
compressing the blowdown gas; and
sending the compressed gas back into the natural gas pipeline at a location downstream of the blowdown valve to recombine the compressed gas with the gas stream flowing inside the natural gas pipeline.