Method and Apparatus for Eliminating Hydrocarbon Gas Venting from Pneumatic Controllers

Abstract

A method and apparatus which provides the ability to capture natural gas which would otherwise be vented from control valves and use the captured natural gas to power a low pressure pilot light of a burner and/or to power a natural gas engine. In one embodiment, the captured natural gas can be supplemented with an additional supply of natural gas to ensure operation of the pilot and/or natural gas engine in the even that the captured natural gas is not sufficient to provide continuous power of the pilot and/or engine. Optionally, the captured natural gas can be sequestered in a storage vessel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for eliminating hydrocarbon gas venting comprising:
 capturing hydrocarbon gas vented by one or more pneumatic controls;   storing the captured hydrocarbon gas in a vessel; and   directing the captured hydrocarbon gas to an apparatus, the apparatus not comprising a compressor.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein directing the captured hydrocarbon gas to an apparatus comprises directing the captured hydrocarbon gas to a hydrocarbon gas burner assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein directing the captured hydrocarbon gas to an apparatus comprises directing the captured hydrocarbon gas to an engine. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein directing the captured hydrocarbon gas to a hydrocarbon gas burner assembly comprises directing the captured hydrocarbon gas to a pilot of the hydrocarbon gas burner assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising supplementing a supply of the captured hydrocarbon gas with an additional supply of hydrocarbon gas. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein supplementing a supply of the captured hydrocarbon gas with an additional supply of hydrocarbon gas comprises supplementing a supply of the captured hydrocarbon gas with a fuel gas train. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein supplementing a supply of the captured hydrocarbon gas with a fuel gas train comprises supplementing a supply of the captured hydrocarbon gas with a fuel gas train of a burner of the hydrocarbon gas burner assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5  wherein supplementing a supply of the captured hydrocarbon gas comprises regulating at least a portion of the additional supply of hydrocarbon gas with a pressure control valve. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein regulating at least a portion of the additional supply of hydrocarbon gas with a pressure control valve comprises regulating at least a portion of the additional supply of hydrocarbon gas at a pressure less than an expected venting pressure of the one or more pneumatic controls but greater than a minimum operating pressure of at least a portion of the hydrocarbon gas burner assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein regulating at least a portion of the additional supply of hydrocarbon gas at a pressure greater than a minimum operating pressure of at least a portion of the hydrocarbon gas burner assembly comprises regulating at least a portion of the additional supply of hydrocarbon gas at a pressure greater than a minimum operating pressure of a pilot of the hydrocarbon gas burner assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising supplementing a supply of the captured hydrocarbon gas with an additional supply of hydrocarbon gas. 
     
     
         12 . A system for capturing and using pneumatic control hydrocarbon vent gas comprising:
 a supply line configured to collect hydrocarbon gas vented from one or more pneumatic controls;   a vessel, said vessel comprising an inlet coupled to said supply line; and   an outlet of said vessel coupled an apparatus, said apparatus not comprising a compressor.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said apparatus comprises a hydrocarbon gas burner assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein said outlet of said vessel is coupled to a pilot of said hydrocarbon gas burner assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said system further comprises an additional supply of hydrocarbon gas. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said additional supply of hydrocarbon gas is derived from a fuel gas train. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said fuel gas train comprises a fuel gas train for a burner. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said apparatus comprises an engine. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18  wherein said system further comprises an additional supply of hydrocarbon gas. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18  further comprising a make-up pressure regulator set at or about a minimum operating pressure of said engine.