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Articles by Norm Shade
Cornerstones: History of two-cycle gas engine-compressors
The two-cycle Lenoir engine in 1858 was the first commercially successful internal combustion engine. From the very early days when internal combustion engines replaced steam engines, two-cycle gas engine-compressors have played a critical role in success and reliability of the oil and gas industry. This is the first of a six-part series on the history of two-cycle gas engine-compressor development.
Cornerstones: Worthington’s integrals
Four of six Worthington 1000 hp (746 kW) twin-tandem 22 in. (559 mm) bore x 36 in. (914 mm) stroke gas engine-compressors at a compressor station, c.1933. Recent issues traced the early 20th century emergence of large horizontal gas engine-compressors and the evolution of C & G Cooper as the leading manufacturer of these huge machines.
Cooper’s transition from steam to gas
A line of ten Cooper-Bessemer Type 22 twin tandem gas engine-compressors at a gas pipeline transmission station. The C. & G. Cooper Company, founded in 1833, had built approximately 15,000 steam engines throughout its history into the early 1900s. It was a leading manufacturer of large Corliss steam engines, but Cooper faced a crossroads as steam turbines seemed destined to dethrone them.
The Emergence of Large Horizontal Gas Engine-Compressors
In the very early days of the natural gas industry, the gas was transmitted through short pipelines to nearby towns and consumers using the natural pressure from wells. After a short time this natural “rock” pressure declined so it became necessary to use compressors to raise the gas pressure to a level that overcame line losses for delivery to the consumer. At first, these were relatively small compressors that were steam driven.
Cornerstones Corollary: Evolution of Pipelines and Compressor Stations
Gala compressor station, c.1960. The history of the Gala Compressor Station provides another glimpse into how the U.S. gas pipeline network evolved. Located in a valley between two mountains on the western edge of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Gala Compressor Station was a vital pumping unit on a 20 in. (508 mm) diameter gas pipeline that delivered gas from production fields in eastern Kentucky and southern West Virginia.
Cornerstones: Evolution of Pipelines and Compressor Stations - 6
Hope Natural Gas Co. Engines and Compressors By Manufacturer Recent issues of Cornerstones of Compression articles described the gas engines and compressors at sixteen early compressor stations of the Ohio Fuel Gas Company, which was organized in 1902. The equipment covered a wide range of ratings and was provided by a number of manufacturers primarily from Ohio and western Pennsylvania, which is where oil and gas production boomed at the time.
Cornerstones Corollary: Evolutions of Pipelines and Compressor Stations
The Ohio Fuel Gas Company was organized in 1902 as the Ohio Fuel Supply Company, following gas well drilling in central Ohio before the turn of the century. It was formed from the acquisition of smaller gas companies that had sprung up in multiple locations throughout central and southern Ohio. The great Sugar Grove field was followed by the Utica and Homer field. Ohio Fuel Gas was a pioneer, in 1904 building the largest compressor station in the world near Homer, Ohio.
Cornerstones Corollary: Evolution of Pipelines and Compressor Stations
As explained in last month’s edition, thin-walled, seamless steel pipe was developed in the late 1890s. Oxyacetylene welding of steel pipe was perfected by 1910 and used commonly for pipelines by the 1920s. Electrically welded steel pipe was first used for gas pipelines in the 1920s. In 1936, the Hope Gas Company of West Virginia constructed the first all-welded high-pressure natural gas pipeline. A 12 in. (305 mm), 95 mi.
Cornerstones: Evolution of Pipelines and Compressor Stations - 3
As explained in last month’s edition, thin-walled, seamless steel pipe was developed in the late 1890s. Oxyacetylene welding of steel pipe was perfected by 1910 and used commonly for pipelines by the 1920s. Electrically welded steel pipe was first used for gas pipelines in the 1920s. In 1936, the Hope Gas Company of West Virginia constructed the first all-welded high-pressure natural gas pipeline. A 12 in. (305 mm), 95 mi.
Cornerstones: The first natural gas pipelines - Part 1
Largely hidden from view, a cornerstone of the natural gas compression industry was the development of safe, reliable pipelines. In the early days of U.S. oil patch development, gas was a waste product unless it could be used near the well that produced it. Enormous gas wells were discovered, but gas was viewed as a “worthless commodity” that was flared or simply allowed to escape to the atmosphere. The idea of piping it over long distances to make it a marketable commodity had not been conceived.
Cornerstones: Making Cold III
Several companies introduced refrigeration compressors in the early 1880s. By 1891, the periodical, Industrial Refrigeration, contained advertisements from no less than 30 U.S. manufacturers of ice making and refrigeration machines to fill the burgeoning demand for ice making and mechanical refrigeration in breweries, meat packers, creameries, hotels, restaurants, steam ships and many more businesses.
Cornerstones: “Making Cold” Part III
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Cornerstones: Compressors for refrigeration
Following the early refrigeration machine success of De La Vergne and Charles Ball’s Ice and Cold Machine Co., several other companies soon entered the business of developing and manufacturing refrigeration compressors. The most prominent of those was the Frick Company, a well-established Waynesboro, Pennsylvania steam engine and agricultural machinery manufacturer that was started by George Frick in 1853.
Cornerstones of Compression: The evolution of air compressors
This continues a series of Cornerstones of Compression corollary articles that provide an historical look at the industries that drove the invention and technological evolution of compressors and that supported the growth and development of the industries that depended on them. This issue begins a review of the evolution of air compressors for mining, construction and manufacturing.
Cornerstones: Fairbanks Morse 38A20 Dual Fuel Engine
In the early 1960s, 140-year-old Fairbanks-Morse, which had never built an engine larger than 5400 hp (4027 kW), saw an opportunity in the European-dominated big-diesel market. Fairbanks’ planned to build a “medium-speed” engine that would be far lighter and more compact than any big diesel ever built. Its 38A20 engine was intended to push per cylinder ratings to an unprecedented 1000 hp (746 kW) and later to 1250 hp (932 kW).
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