Onboard Dynamics revealed the new, high-capacity GoVAC® MAX pipeline evacuation system during the 2023 AGA Operations Conference & Biennial Exhibition & Spring Committee Meetings in Grapevine, Texas.
The GoVAC® MAX system is a self-contained natural gas capture and recovery solution that eliminates the need for flaring or venting during pipeline blowdowns. The GoVAC® MAX system is built on Onboard Dynamics’ patented compression technology, so it runs on the natural gas in the pipeline. This reduces the emission profile to a minimum and removes the need of additional equipment for natural gas recovery.
The specific innovation that was the focal point during the conference, and that will be found in all of our products, is the digitization and third-party validation of the environmental attributes associated with a natural gas pipeline evacuation project. The automated system is fully equipped with state-of-the-art telemetry and instrumentation including temperature and pressure sensors, electronic valves, and flow meters that measure how much natural gas is being captured and recovered. The control system communicates up to the cloud which enables remote system monitoring and near real-time data collection capabilities. All the GoVAC® line of products provide environmental reports that contain validated and third-party certified asset-grade data ensuring traceability, transparency, and compliance at scale.
This ability is a huge benefit to not only the pipeline operator, but to any associated auditing agency. Accurate and secure data reporting will become ever more important as companies seek to fulfill current and future regulations and environmental initiatives.
Rick Kay Presentation at the 2023 AGA Conference & Biennial Exhibition
In addition to the GoVAC® MAX system announcement, Rick Kay,COO of Onboard Dynamics, gave a presentation about technologies that are safe, efficient, and reliable for capturing and transferring methane that avoid venting and flaring during the 2023 AGA Conference & Biennial Exhibition.
Titled: “Practical Technologies for Methane Recovery During Purging and Emissions Reduction”, the presentation was given on May 3, 2023, from 3:20 PM-4:00 PM CST.
Rick’s presentation presented information about the key ingredients for a successful pipeline evacuation project and routine pigging operation to prevent methane releases during pipeline blowdowns. The presentation highlighted technology features and safety requirements that are most important in determining project success. The important topics presented were basic project procedures, equipment specifications, gas capture time, system set up time, and consideration of equipment physical size and how these factors all impact gas capture time and cost.
The conference was very successful and the new GoVAC® MAX system was well-received as an important solution as pipeline operators show a growing interest in adapting new technology solutions and operating practices to reduce methane releases during pipeline operations and maintenance.