A natural gas client had developed a unique solution to provide compressed natural gas (CNG) to commercial/industrial facilities that do not have access to natural gas pipelines: offering CNG at a competitive price by trucking the CNG in specially designed tractor trailers. The maximum design pressure for the compressed natural gas piping and trailers was 4,500 psi. To support this type of activity, a comprehensive design of various safety systems was needed.

RETTEW supplied all design services for a fully functional emergency, security, and monitoring system. Safety systems included the emergency shutdown device (ESD) system and the gas and flame detection system (GFDS). Both systems reported to an active SCADA system for alarming locally, and to a security monitoring service for dispatch of owner personnel or first responders, based on alarm type and urgency.

Other facets of the design included integrating and automating hundreds of components, including high-pressure flammable gas piping and control valves, process equipment, telemetry, and billing records. RETTEW and the client jointly orchestrated full integration with established safety procedures, which allowed for a comprehensive safety and operations program. A final consideration was the requirement to fully generate the facility power on site with the electrical design of a 1,660-KW Caterpillar natural gas generator.