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Sorensen Systems and Hope Air Systems Engineer Solutions To Improve Keene NH Municipal Propane Distribution System
Keene, NH (1-5-06) - Marc LeBaron, Project Manager for Sorensen Systems and John Moore, Key Account Manager for Hope Air Systems today inspected the final installation and start-up of a propane gas blower system for New Hampshire Gas Company at its Keene, NH operations center.

David Jacques, Assistant General Manager and David Grande, Manager of Operations for NH Gas were on hand to oversee the inspection and to evaluate the initial start-up activities.

The custom blower system engineered by Sorensen Systems was designed to provide a stabilized pressure source for the propane gas distribution throughout the Keene, NH community. Using essentially ambient air, the existing process was determined to be inadequate in dealing with the increasing demand for commercial propane customers. NH Gas is a subsidiary of Berkshire Gas Company, based in Pittsfield, MA.

Hope Air Systems, headquartered in Northboro, MA, specializes in air compressor, blower, cooling and nitrogen generator systems. For this application, four Kaeser rotary-lobe blowers were linked together to provide the required controlled pressure and internal back-up and redundancy capability. Design engineers at Sorensen Systems developed a pressure and flow controller package to integrate the existing digital controls for the system. A new pressure sensor was mounted on the existing line, which mixes the propane, to provide the correct ratios and proportioning to meet varying demands.

Chuck Keyes, Systems Engineer, for Sorensen Systems, was responsible for the software programming that permits the four blowers to operate in sequence to meet various load levels and to serve as internal back-ups during maintenance shutdowns. The challenge was to integrate the new blower system with the non-automated pre-existing system, which relied on a series of solenoids actuated by a binary timer package.

According to David Jacques, of NH Gas, the current system used multiple venturis to provide air to mix with the propane for the correct BTU ratio. Going forward, the requirement was to provide air over a broad 50 cfm to 1,400 cfm range, with enough available capacity to maintain pressure, even if one of the blower units failed. Through a unique manifold package designed by Sorensen Systems, the four blowers were linked together with sensors to regulate the air requirements.

According to Marc LeBaron, of Sorensen Systems, the propane pipeline system provided by NH Gas is highly unusual. “Keene is the only city in the country that has a centralized, underground propane distribution network to provide gas at a required pressure and ratio to an entire community,” said LeBaron. “The system is not automated. It is operated through an ingenious system utilizing digital monitors and recorders to monitor gas ratios and controls,” he added.

The original inquiry from NH Gas, which was handled by John Moore, from Hope Air Systems, was based on a requirement for air compressors to supply a solution to their problem. However, upon evaluation by Hope Air System’s engineers and consultation with the specialists at Sorensen Systems, it was agreed that a more efficient, reliable and cost-effective solution would be derived from the Kaeser Omega blower package. The need for large volume, low pressure air, instead of high pressure air from a compressor, was the deciding factor.

According to Joe Dias, District Manager for Kaeser Omega Blowers, “this unique application was perfect for our Com-paK Plus series blowers. Two Model EB 420C 50 horsepower units and two Model BB 88C 10 horsepower units provide the range of pressure required regardless of hot summer months or freezing winter,” said Dias.

The Kaeser Omega Blower units were a “tri-lobe” design, which offer high efficiency and reduced noise and pulsation, according to Dias. The Kaeser Com-paK Plus blower units require a minimum of floor space, which was an important consideration given the somewhat cramped operations area. All of the service access points are located on the front of the units while all process and utility connections are located on the back, according to Dias. “This greatly improves routine maintenance and operational requirements,” said Dias.

Hope Air Systems and Sorensen Systems are member companies of The Hope Group, a leading industrial distribution and motion control company, headquartered in Northboro, MA. The Hope Group operates five ParkerStore outlets, in Bangor ME, Portland ME, Manchester NH, Fitchburg MA and Cranston RI.

For more information, contact:
Richard Wright
Public Relations