Linc Energy Blog

Itron is the manufacturer of industrial, commercial and residential natural gas meters and regulators. Itron US Gas is located in Owenton, Kentucky. If you’re unfamiliar with the trade name Itron, over the years these products have been marketed under the names: Actaris, Schlumberger and even Sprague. Linc Energy has represented Itron, Actaris and Schlumberger since 1992, and currently is a stocking distributor for the states of: Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Montana, western North Dakota, western South Dakota, western Nebraska, western Kansas and New Mexico.

Tags: positive displacement meters, natural gas meters, regulators, gas measurement, meters

As a stocking distributor of natural gas regulators, I’m often approached by customers seeking alternatives to a specific competitor's natural gas regulators. While there are other manufacturers, there seem to be five which are noteworthy to cross reference.

• Itron (formerly Actaris, Schlumberger and Sprague)
• Fisher (Emerson Process Management)
• Sensus (formerly Invensus, Equimeter and Rockwell)
• Elster American Meter
• Maxitrol
   

For your convenience, here is a competitive comparison chart or a selection guide to help cross reference the major regulator manufacturers.  Remember this is only a reference and feel free to call me if you have questions. 303 - 697 -6701.
 

To learn more about regulators, consider reviewing:

• How to select the correct gas pressure regulator?
• Why are regulators used in natural gas distribution?

 

 

Tags: regulators, back to basics

Continuing my "Back to Basic" series, I thought I'd address sizing natural gas regulators.

As a stocking distributor of natural gas regulators, I’m often asked by my customers which regulator to use for a particular application. I usually ask a few questions and am able to quickly direct the customer to a product. Occasionally a DIY-type (do-it-yourself) will ask, “What’s the secret to selecting the correct product?”

There’s no secret, and I’m happy to share the information which is why I’m posting it here. There are five areas which help me ascertain which regulator to recommend:

• What type of gas are you regulating? While the majority of my customers are inquiring about natural gas, or methane, I can assist in the regulation of other fuel gases.
• What is the inlet pressure? If you don’t have a pressure gauge, you can always call your gas distributor, or inquire about some of the fine gauges (gages) we have available.
• What is the desired outlet pressure?
• What is the flow? 
• What is the desired pipe size?

If you have the answers to these questions, you have the information needed to select the correct regulator. Without a background and knowledge of regulator capabilities however, you may find yourself studying endless sizing charts and graphs. This download will give you an idea what a sizing chart looks like.

While there are some sizing programs available, they’re not foolproof and until they are, I personally still size my customer’s regulators the old-fashioned way.

Before you get the magnifying glass out to pore through those charts, remember I am happy to assist my customers by sizing regulators for their applications.

 

photo: Itron
 

Tags: regulators, back to basics

In this back to basics entry, I discuss why natural gas pressure regulators are used in a delivery system.

After natural gas makes its way out of the well, into gathering and transmission systems, and gate stations, it ultimately enters distribution lines (or “mains”).

B31 residential regulator

While gas is in the distribution system, regulators control the flow from higher pressure to lower pressure. Regulators sense if the pressure in a line drops below a specified set point and opens, allowing more gas to flow. On the other hand, if pressure rises above a set point the regulator will close so that the downstream pressure adjusts.

When natural gas leaves the main, it travels through a “service line” to reach homes or businesses. This service line is likely to be polyethylene, perhaps an inch or less in diameter and ranges from about 60 PSI to ¼ PSI. Once the gas reaches the home or business meter it passes through another regulator to reduced the pressure under ¼ PSI and is measured in water column.

Throughout the gas delivery system, from the well to the stove burner, regulators are used to adjust the pressure to ensure safety.
 

Tags: back to basics, natural gas, regulators, transmission, gathering