Gas Losses in the Distribution Networks: An Interdisciplinary Analysis

This work focuses on a very important and current problem in the gas field: gas losses in natural gas distribution networks and their impact on the environment, as well as on the company operating the network. The paper starts with a bibliographic study and aims to identify the sources leading to losses, estimate loss volumes, reduce these losses by replacing high-risk pipeline sections, as well as trace the economic, environmental, and social impact. The calculation methodologies used in various countries in estimating these consumptions are very diverse. Romania uses a very dense methodology that can prompt very broad variations in the values obtained for technological consumption calculations using Order 18/2014, due to the multitude of parameters that must be estimated. To reduce some of the uncertainties in estimating these parameters, a study was proposed and carried out on the ill-fittings in the natural gas distribution systems. The article presents the experimental stand, the analysis of the experimental data, the methodology for calculating gas losses in the natural gas distribution system through leaking equipment, as well as the results obtained and the conclusions. Moreover, an application was made for a dynamic area check of the gas balance. Based on the correlations between the annual values in M&R stations, AMR, the volume for small consumers, technological consumption, linepack, and the equipment and materials used in the network, useful data were obtained in the diagnosis of problem areas. The end of the paper shows an economic calculation regarding the replacement of problematic pipeline sections in natural gas distribution networks. The difference between the volume of investments and the income from loss reduction is very large, but the aspect of protecting the environment and eliminating technological risks intervenes, thus increasing social security and health.