Gas Engineering: Concepts and Technologies Course

Lesson 1 • Gas Industry Overview and Value Chain

Maps the full gas value chain from upstream production to end-use consumption. Orients students to industry roles, terminology, and commercial context.

Lesson 2 • Combustion Chemistry Basics

Explains stoichiometric and excess-air combustion reactions for hydrocarbon fuels. Links combustion chemistry to burner design and emissions control.

Lesson 3 • Properties of Natural Gas

Covers composition, molecular weight, and thermodynamic properties of natural gas mixtures. Provides the physical baseline for all subsequent engineering calculations.

Lesson 1 • Gas Quality Analysis

Examines chromatographic and optical methods for determining gas composition and quality. Links quality data to tariff compliance and process optimisation.

Lesson 2 • Metering Station Design and Operation

Integrates individual instruments into functional metering station layouts. Addresses data acquisition, uncertainty budgets, and custody transfer requirements.

Lesson 3 • Flow Measurement Principles

Introduces differential pressure, velocity, and mass flow measurement techniques. Establishes the metrological basis for custody transfer and process control.

Lesson 1 • Compressor Station Engineering

Covers centrifugal and reciprocating compressor selection, performance curves, and station layout. Links compression to pipeline capacity and energy efficiency.

Lesson 2 • Transient Flow Analysis

Introduces unsteady gas flow phenomena including line pack, surge, and pressure waves. Prepares students to assess dynamic system responses to demand changes.

Lesson 3 • Network Simulation and Optimisation

Uses steady-state simulation tools to model complex pipeline networks. Develops skills in scenario analysis, bottleneck identification, and capacity planning.

Lesson 4 • Pipeline Hydraulic Fundamentals

Derives pressure drop equations for compressible gas flow in pipes. Provides the analytical foundation for all pipeline sizing and capacity calculations.

Lesson 1 • Sulfur Recovery and Waste Treatment

Describes Claus process stages and tail gas cleanup for sulfur recovery from acid gas. Connects sulfur management to environmental compliance and byproduct value.

Lesson 2 • Gas Dehydration Technologies

Compares glycol absorption, molecular sieve adsorption, and refrigeration for water removal. Connects dehydration to hydrate prevention and pipeline integrity.

Lesson 3 • Acid Gas Removal and Sweetening

Covers amine absorption, physical solvent, and membrane processes for H2S and CO2 removal. Links sweetening to safety, corrosion control, and sales gas specifications.

Lesson 4 • Process Integration and Energy Efficiency

Applies heat integration and pinch analysis to minimise energy use in processing plants. Develops skills in identifying utility savings and debottlenecking opportunities.

Lesson 1 • Service Connections and Metering

Details service pipe sizing, meter installation, and emergency control valve placement. Connects service design to customer safety and accurate billing.

Lesson 2 • Network Leakage Management

Introduces leakage detection, survey techniques, and repair prioritisation for distribution networks. Links leakage control to safety, commercial loss reduction, and emissions targets.

Lesson 3 • Distribution Network Architecture

Describes ring main, radial, and meshed network topologies for urban gas distribution. Establishes design criteria for reliability, pressure maintenance, and future growth.

Lesson 4 • Pressure Regulation and Control

Covers pressure reducing valve types, governor stations, and slam-shut devices. Links pressure control to safe delivery within customer appliance operating ranges.

Lesson 1 • Quantitative Risk Assessment

Applies consequence modelling and frequency analysis to estimate individual and societal risk. Connects QRA outputs to land-use planning and safety case justification.

Lesson 2 • Safety Management Systems

Structures a safety management system covering policy, competence, audit, and continuous improvement. Connects SMS elements to regulatory expectations and industry best practice.

Lesson 3 • Hazard Identification Techniques

Introduces HAZID, HAZOP, and what-if analysis for identifying gas system hazards. Builds the analytical foundation for quantitative risk assessment.

Lesson 4 • Safety Instrumented Systems

Covers SIL determination, SIS architecture, and proof-test interval design for gas facilities. Links functional safety standards to process risk reduction.

Lesson 1 • LNG Liquefaction Processes

Compares cascade, mixed refrigerant, and nitrogen expander liquefaction cycles. Links cycle selection to plant scale, efficiency, and capital cost trade-offs.

Lesson 2 • LNG Storage and Containment

Covers full-containment tank design, boil-off gas management, and rollover prevention. Addresses cryogenic material selection and insulation system performance.

Lesson 3 • Hydrogen as a Gas System Fuel

Examines hydrogen production pathways, blending limits, and dedicated hydrogen network requirements. Evaluates hydrogen's role in decarbonising gas infrastructure.

Lesson 4 • LNG Regasification and Send-Out

Describes open-rack, submerged combustion, and ambient air vaporisers for LNG regasification. Connects send-out capacity to grid injection and peak shaving applications.

Lesson 1 • Corrosion Mechanisms and Control

Identifies internal and external corrosion mechanisms affecting gas pipelines and equipment. Links corrosion control methods to asset life prediction and maintenance planning.

Lesson 2 • Asset Life Extension and Decommissioning

Evaluates technical and economic criteria for extending asset life or decommissioning gas infrastructure. Addresses abandonment procedures and environmental remediation.

Lesson 3 • Pressure Testing and Fitness for Service

Applies hydrostatic and pneumatic testing methods to verify pipeline integrity. Introduces fitness-for-service assessment frameworks for defect acceptance.

Lesson 4 • Integrity Management Planning

Structures a risk-based integrity management plan covering threat identification, inspection scheduling, and performance metrics. Links the plan to regulatory reporting obligations.