How to Choose the Right Secomak Gas Booster for Your Needs
When it comes to boosting gas pressure for various applications—whether for burners, boilers, ovens, or furnaces—choosing the right gas booster is crucial for maintaining efficiency, safety, and optimal performance. At Secomak, we offer a wide range of centrifugal boosters designed to meet specific pressure and flow rate requirements. But with many options to choose from, how do you ensure you’re selecting the correct one for your needs?
Here’s an informative guide to help you understand how to choose not only the correct size of gas booster, but an insight to the overall package type.
Determine the Flow Rate Requirements for your Gas Booster?
The first step in choosing a gas booster is to determine the maximum gas flow rate required for the application, typically measured in cubic metres per hour (m3/hr). This can be achieved by calculating the total installed flow rate of all gas products after the gas booter when operating at full capacity.
Total?Gas?Consumption = ∑ Individual?Gas?Consumptions
For example, if you have:
The total gas consumption = (100×2) +250=200+250=450?m3/hr
If the rated consumption is not known, you can use the rated power in KW and do a conversion:
1 m3/hr ≈ 10.5 kW
For example, for an 800 kW boiler:
It is essential to ensure that the gas booster you select can handle your required flow rate without any risk of overloading or underperformance. Secomak offers models that accommodate a wide range of flow rates, from as low as 300 m3/hr to as high as 2000 m3/hr. Choose a model that matches or slightly exceeds your required flow rate to ensure efficiency.
Current gas pressure prior to boosting.
You need to know the working gas pressure to the inlet of the gas booster; this will be in mbar. In the UK the pressure is typically regulated to 19-21mbar.? For natural gas booster installations that are covered by the IGEM UP/2 regulations, it is requirement to have a minimum of 10mbar.
Consider the Required working pressure.
What pressure do you require after boosting? This is vital to determine the size of the gas booster. Different applications require different levels of gas pressure, you will need to check the specifications of all the gas appliances to understand their minimum required gas pressure.
Calculate the pressure lift
Typically measured in millibars (mbar), and it refers to the amount by which the booster will increase the incoming gas pressure to meet operational demands. You simply must subtract the required working pressure from your current pressure, the difference is your required pressure lift.
Pressure?Lift = Required?Working?Pressure ? Incoming?Pressure
For example, if the Incoming Pressure is 20 mbar and the Required Working Pressure is 60 mbar:
Pressure?Lift = 60?mbar?20?mbar = 40?mbar
Secomak’s standard gas boosters are available with pressure boosts from 30 mbar to 112 mbar with special solutions capable of up to 500mbar.? It’s essential to understand the pressure requirements of your specific application. Selecting a booster that can easily meet the required pressure boost ensures smooth operation and avoids potential safety risks.
Gas Booster Model Selection
Once you understand the required flow rates and the boosted pressure lift requirements, with these two bits of key information, you can select the Secomak gas booster model that matches the requirements. Simply enter your flow rate and pressure lift requirements into the gas booster product selector, and you’ll be provided with the ideal gas booster that meets your needs.
But that is not where the journey ends, there are other considerations to make when selecting the best overall package. Do you need a Duty & Standby configuration, or is a single gas booster sufficient? What type of controls are right, variable speed driven or run 100% all the time? Are there other consideration to make such as power requirements or noise level?0 Let’s explore them further:
Duty & Standby by?
Gas boosters’ packages mainly come in two types, either a single unit or a duty & standby, but what is a duty & standby?
Essentially, they both do the same thing, with only one gas booster running at a time but with a duty & standby configuration you have the added comfort that if the running gas booster has a fault, there is another booster waiting in standby. With Secomak’s Duty & Standby configuration you get a single control panel to operate both boosters, so in the unlikely event the running booster did fail, the standby booster would automatically kick in providing uninterrupted boosted pressure supply. There are other benefits to the Secomak duty & standby too, every 7 days the system will automatically switch which is the running gas booster, providing equal wear and ensuring the backup booster is always available. It also allows routine maintenance to take place without interrupting gas supply, whereas on a single package you would have to isolate the appliances requiring booster pressure.
So why would you choose the duty & standby over the single unit when it is likely to cost more? That’s simple, if the requirement for boosted pressure is process critical and you cannot afford interrupted gas pressure, the duty & standby is the right option.
Variable speed drive
With all Secomak’s gas booster’s packages, you have the option to have the booster variable speed driven or to run at 100% all the time. Secomak’s variable speed package is known as an APS booster, standing for Automatic Pressure Stabilisation. This gives the added benefit of adjusting the speed of the gas booster via the use of an Inverter (VFD) to match a desired target pressure. During a commissioning process, the engineer will set the target booster pressure requirement via a potentiometer located on the control panel. There is a pressure transducer included in the package that is required to be installed in the pipework after the gas booster, to measure the current pressure. As the flow changes and demand for the booster pressure changes, the gas booster will automatically adjust to match it.
So, what is the benefit of the APS system? If the demand on gas is variable of the requirement for boosted pressure is low, regulating the speed of the gas booster will reduce, power consumption, wear and tear & operating noise levels.? Is the perfect package for variable demand applications.
Noise Considerations
Operational noise is an important consideration, especially for facilities where noise sensitivity is a concern. All Secomak’s gas boosters operate at noise levels below 85 dBA, which is within the industry standard for acceptable noise output. If your facility has strict noise requirements, consider adding additional noise-reducing features such as the Secomak acoustic enclosure, which can be supplied with all types of our gas? boosters.
Please be aware that if a booster is installed in an acoustic enclosure or an area lower than 10m3, a DSEAR risk assessment will be required and may be required. We offer an upgraded safety package for these types of applications referred to as our gas sensor system. We add additional safety measures an incorporate Duomo gas detectors on our gas boosters that in the event of a small gas leak will isolate the electrical supply to the booster to stop it running.
Safety Requirements
Installations of natural gas boosters are regulated by the IGEM UP/2 standards and for installations operating below 150mbar are covered by the British Standard BS 8487:2007 & 2013. All Secomak’s gas booster packages comply with these regulations. There are additional ancillary products required on gas booster installation to meet the regulatory standards. These include:
Secomak package boosters are usually supplied with the above installation accessories but it’s imperative that installer check that they are sized appropriately to the application.
Power supply
Not all gas boosters are alike, with the large variety of models and packages, the electrical requirements can be different. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure that the gas booster is compatible with your facility’s power supply. Secomak gas boosters come in both 230V single-phase and 400V three-phase options. Make sure that the selected booster matches the power specifications of your facility.
Check for Space Availability
The physical size of the gas booster is another key factor in your selection. Secomak’s centrifugal gas boosters are designed to be compact and efficient, but you’ll still need to ensure that the chosen model fits within your installation space. Take the time to measure the available space, allowing for proper airflow, ventilation, and easy access for maintenance.
Consider Maintenance and Serviceability
Gas boosters are long-term investments, so it’s essential to select one that is easy to maintain. Secomak gas boosters are known for their durability, but regular maintenance is still necessary. Secomak offers ongoing technical support and spare parts, which helps keep your equipment in top shape.
Review Flexibility for Future Adjustments
Depending on your application, you may need to adjust the gas booster’s performance over time. Whether it’s a change in operational needs, shifts in pressure requirements, or alterations in flow rates, Secomak offers models with flexible configurations that allow for future adjustments. This flexibility can be crucial for businesses that may expand or change their operational setup over time.
Consult with Secomak Experts
Choosing the right gas booster doesn’t have to be complicated. Secomak’s team of experts is always available to help you select the most suitable model for your specific requirements. Whether you need assistance with technical specifications or just need guidance on installation, Secomak provides comprehensive support to ensure that your gas boosting system is a perfect match for your needs. CONTACT?
?Secomak Gas Booster Models Overview
Below is an overview of some of Secomak’s gas booster models. This table highlights key specifications such as flow rate, pressure boost, and power requirements, which can help guide your decision.
Conclusion
Selecting the correct Secomak gas booster ensures not only the efficiency and safety of your operation but also long-term reliability. By considering the flow rate, pressure boost, power supply, space constraints, and safety features, you can make a more informed decision. With Secomak’s range of high-quality gas boosters and expert support, you’ll be able to meet your gas boosting needs.
If you’re unsure which Secomak gas booster is the best fit for your application, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for personalised assistance. CONTACT