Record how long gas demand peaks last

01The same daily volume can produce different loads

Two production lines can consume the same total gas volume each day while placing very different demands on the supply system. One may run continuously at a steady rate; the other may draw gas in bursts during start-up, purging or batch changes. The first requires sustained capacity. The second also requires the peak flow, its duration and the recovery time between peaks to be understood. An average consumption figure alone conceals these differences.

02Link each peak to an operating condition

Record demand by shift and identify shutdown, standby, normal production and concentrated gas use. If flow has not yet been measured, provide machine documentation and the actual number of machines operating together, then measure the critical periods. A buffer vessel can help manage short fluctuations, but it cannot compensate indefinitely for insufficient continuous production. Its sizing depends on the permitted pressure change. For expansion projects, separate confirmed additional loads from tentative allowances.

• Record peak magnitude, duration, frequency and the minimum acceptable pressure.
• Record changes in the load on the compressor station or any other shared feed-air source.