What does a natural gas regulator do?
What does a natural gas regulator do? Throughout the gas delivery system, from the well to the stove burner, regulators are used to adjust the pressure to ensure safety. I discuss why natural gas pressure regulators are used in a delivery system in this back-to-basics entry.
Natural Gas Regulators
After natural gas moves out of the well into gathering and transmission systems and gate stations, it ultimately enters distribution lines (or “mains”).
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| 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 demand rises above a set point, the regulator will close to adjust the downstream pressure.
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 residential or light commercial regulator to reduce the pressure under ¼ PSI and is measured in a water column.
Throughout the gas delivery system, from the well to the stove burner, regulators are used to adjust the pressure to ensure safety.
Linc Energy Systems sells Belgas, Dungs, Maxitrol, Honeywell, and Itron regulators.
What happens if high pressure regulator is used on low pressure setting
Russell,
As long as the inlet pressure is higher than the outlet pressure the regulator will function, but the amount of natural gas that will flow through it will be greatly reduced and the outlet pressure will tend to drop off sooner.