Down the road from the bustling of Route 1 traffic on a stretch of grass from Burnet Street in New Brunswick, New Jersey to the Raritan River, PSE&G crews recently gathered to launch a new technology and make history.
The crews were upgrading a large, natural gas pipe to prevent leaks, which requires emptying the gas out of the pipe segment before it can be lined and made like new. Instead of using more traditional methods, crews harnessed the power of two ZEVAC (Zero Emission Vacuum and Compressor) machines to improve safety, save time and money and help our planet by reducing methane emissions.
This advanced technology allowed them to empty the pipe and recycle the gas back into a different part of the main while keeping gas flowing to customers. Next, the lining will be installed in the pipe, helping reduce emissions even further by preventing future leaks.
“I’m concerned about the world we live in and how we leave it for our children and our grandchildren,” said Mike Gallagher, a gas construction manager. “Anything we can do to enhance operations while helping the environment is a positive and responsible thing to do.”
Mike said about 25,000 standard cubic feet (or about 11 metric tons of CO2e) of methane was not released into the atmosphere during this job because it was recycled using the ZEVAC method. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency emissions calculator, that’s equivalent to powering nearly 61 homes with electricity for one year.
The ZEVAC machines are relatively quiet as they empty the gas out of one part of the pipe, compress it and safely return it to another part of the pipe for reuse. The day also served as an opportunity to train more people on how to use ZEVAC.
“We’re providing safer, reliable gas service for our customers and I’m proud of this work,” said Spencer Parks, a senior gas distribution supervisor who also served as project manager.
The successful ZEVAC deployment took months of planning and coordination between teams and about a dozen crew members at the jobsite.
“We understand the importance of large main refurbishment and replacement work to the reliability and safety of our customers,” said Salim Corbin, a senior gas distribution supervisor. “I’m very proud of our coordination and execution, and this new technology is a game changer.”
Mike said the technology will be deployed throughout the state in support of New Jersey’s continuous efforts to make the natural gas system safer and cleaner.
Learn more about ZEVAC technology below.
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