Capstone Turbine Corporation - Turbines for Oil and Gas Applications

Capstone Turbine Corp. has a strong track record in the offshore sector with sales to several of the world's largest multi-national companies. Capstone Turbines' ultra-low emissions, high reliability and minimal maintenance make them ideal for offshore operations.

The turbines use unprocessed wellhead gas (flare gas or pipeline gas with up to 7% H2S) to generate three-phase, load-following continuous power used to operate platform equipment. Since the package operates with air bearings and is completely air cooled, there is no need for lubricant or coolant storage with potential environmental impact.

Installed on manned and unmanned offshore platforms throughout the Gulf of Mexico and North Sea, and off the shores of Alaska, Indonesia and Malaysia, the compact, self-sufficient turbine systems feature onshore dispatch, remote monitoring and remote diagnostics capability.

OFFSHORE TURBINE PACKAGE

Capstone's offshore package includes corrosion protection with a 316 stainless-steel enclosure, optional Class I Division 2/NFPA 496 certification for use in hazardous areas, and UL listing. Also included is an energy-storage system to allow black start operations and provide momentary power during transient load changes. The result is highly regulated voltage and frequency regardless of load changes.

Capstone also offers an Advanced Power Server (APS). The primary function of the APS is to act as a "supervisory" control point for Capstone turbines. Software in the APS can be configured to accommodate a range of operating scenarios, letting the customer gain maximum value from their turbine installation.

CLEAN AND GREEN: CAPSTONE TURBINE SOLUTIONS

Capstone turbines operate on a variety of gaseous or liquid fuels and emit very low emissions, making Capstone a clean, green and reliable energy source. In addition, the turbines use no oil, lubricants, coolants, other hazardous materials -- or even water. This eliminates transportation, storage and hazmat spill and leakage issues associated with alternative-generator solutions.

By integrating an aero-based turbine engine, a permanent magnet generator, advanced power electronics, and maintenance-free air-bearing technology, Capstone turbines are an ideal clean solution to today's distributed generation needs.

REDUCED MAINTENANCE

A Capstone platform power solution dramatically reduces scheduled maintenance to annual air and fuel filter changes. The first minor scheduled maintenance is at 20,000 hours, while an overhaul is suggested by 40,000 hours. Over a five-year period, there are only six maintenance intervals requiring less than six hours each. In the US and abroad, Capstone Turbines helps ensure the flow of natural gas. Capstone Turbines have extremely high availability due to very brief, infrequent scheduled maintenance needs.

OILFIELD TURBINE APPLICATIONS AND ONSHORE UPSTREAM

Clean and green Capstone turbines also are the right product for oilfield and onshore applications, especially with tough new EPA emission standards effective from July 2008. The Capstone turbines meet – or exceed – the toughest emissions standards worldwide.

With Capstone turbines, companies do not have to pay additionally for any emission-reduction equipment, since the turbines already meet the new EPA standards.

As in offshore applications, Capstone Turbines applied onshore use unprocessed wellhead gas (flare gas or pipeline gas with up to 7% H2S) to generate three-phase, load-following continuous power used to operate site equipment. Since the package operates with air bearings and is completely air cooled, there is no need for lubricant or coolant storage with potential environmental impact.

GAS STORAGE / TRANSMISSION

Many of the world's natural-gas transmission and storage corporations use Capstone turbines at their facilities. These applications include compression stations, meter stations, cathodic protection and other power applications. Additionally, Capstone turbines produce voluminous amounts of exhaust energy that can be used in combined-heat-and-power applications to provide energy to hot water, glycol, hot oil and other heat-transfer applications.