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How are gas-turbine engines used to pump natural gas through pipelines?
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gas-turbine engine
Open-cycle constant-pressure gas-turbine engine.
Industrial gas-turbine engines, which typically range from 1,000 to 50,000 horsepower, are utilized to drive compressors that pump natural gas through pipelines.1
In these applications, the engine operates efficiently by using a small portion of the natural gas being transported as its own fuel source. Because these units are highly reliable and can be automated, they generally require only occasional on-site supervision. The gas turbine provides direct rotary shaft power to the compressor, making it a compact and effective solution for this industrial task compared to other engine types.12