The new Rutledge natural gas compressor station owned by Columbia Gas Transmission Corp.at Fallston in Harford County, MD. (USA), officially began service in February 1995, 10 months after construction started.

The station was initially designed to use natural gas-fueled reciprocating engines driving reciprocating compressors, but opposition from neighbors concerned about noise and exhaust emissions prompted Columbia to look into other solutions. The company opted for a MOtor PIpeline Compressor- MOPICO(TM).

The MOPICO(TM) is a hermetically sealed compressor driven by an integral asynchronous motor. The motor, which is built by Alstom, is installed at the centre of the machine while the two compressor impellers are overhung at each end of the shaft. Sulzer Turbo are the designers of the compressor impellers and build the MOPICO(TM) unit.

The rotating assembly is supported by S2M axial and radial magnetic bearings. The motor and the bearings are cooled by the natural gas itself and require no lube oil systems.

The Rutledge station comprises three MOPICO(TM) units configured in series, each with a rated power output of 3 MW and a maximum rotation speed of 10,000 rpm, to compress the gas from 2.4 MPa to 5.2 MPa. By 1 January 1996, each machine had already totalled more than 7,000 operating hours.

The combination of state-of-the-art technology and cutting edge architecture enables the industrial usage of site to blend in perfectly with the residential district. An example of human beings living in harmony with the environment, making use of progress, and protecting nature.

 

The MOPICO trademark is owned by MAN TURBO

 

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