SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FUEL GAS DISTRIBUTION

A fuel gas manifold comprises a manifold body configured to fluidically couple to a fuel gas source. The manifold body comprises a central body having a first end and a second end, wherein the central body has a first internal diameter. The manifold body also comprises a plurality of branch line take-off pipes coupled to the central body. The internal diameter of each of the plurality of branch line take-off pipes is smaller than the first internal diameter, the plurality of branch line take-off pipes are coupled to the manifold body such that the longitudinal axes of each of the plurality of the branch line take-off pipes is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the central body, and each of the plurality of branch line take-off pipes is configured to fluidically couple the manifold body to a branch line corresponding to one or more fuel gas consuming assets. The fuel gas manifold also comprises a manifold coupler attached to the first end of the manifold body, wherein the manifold coupler is operable to fluidically couple the manifold body to a fuel gas feed line. The fuel gas manifold also comprises a branch line coupler coupled to each branch line take-off pipe by a branch line valve, wherein each branch line coupler is operable to couple to a corresponding branch line.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to the field of gas distribution and delivery to one or more gas consuming assets, and more particularly, to a method and system for efficiently and safely distributing fuel gas to a gas consuming asset on demand.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In many applications, it is often desirable to distribute fuel gas to one or more fuel consuming assets. The fuel consuming assets may be located a distance from the source of the fuel gas and may require differing amounts of fuel gas.

Fuel gas, such as natural gas, may be delivered to one or more fuel consuming assets located at a job site, such as a fracking location. In typical fuel gas delivery systems, fuel consuming assets may be fed off of a single supply line in a “daisy chain” configuration, in which each subsequent fuel consuming asset is fed off the same line as the prior asset in the chain.

The typical arrangement has several shortcomings, a non-exhaustive list of which follows. For instance, a fuel consuming asset at the end of the daisy chain arrangement may receive less flow and/or fuel gas pressure than assets located near the beginning of the feed line. This may lead to fuel starvation at fuel consuming assets near the end of the line and unbalanced fuel consumption by assets along the line. Additionally, prior arrangements for providing fuel gas on-site have the disadvantage of scaling poorly if additional fuel-consuming assets are added to the daisy-chain arrangement. Adding one or more fuel consuming assets may change the feed flows and pressures to the fuel consuming assets previously present, which may result in sub-optimal performance.

There is therefore a need for a method and system to safely and efficiently deliver fuel gas to such fuel consuming assets that addresses these and other shortcomings of prior art fuel gas distribution systems.

SUMMARY

According to an illustrative embodiment, a fuel gas manifold comprises a manifold body configured to fluidically couple to a fuel gas source. The manifold body comprises a central body having a first end and a second end, wherein the central body has a first internal diameter. The manifold body also comprises a plurality of branch line take-off pipes coupled to the central body. The internal diameter of each of the plurality of branch line take-off pipes is smaller than the first internal diameter, the plurality of branch line take-off pipes are coupled to the manifold body such that the longitudinal axes of each of the plurality of the branch line take-off pipes is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the central body, and each of the plurality of branch line take-off pipes is configured to fluidically couple the manifold body to a branch line corresponding to one or more fuel gas consuming assets. The fuel gas manifold also comprises a manifold coupler attached to the first end of the manifold body, wherein the manifold coupler is operable to fluidically couple the manifold body to a fuel gas feed line. The fuel gas manifold also comprises a branch line coupler coupled to each branch line take-off pipe by a branch line valve, wherein each branch line coupler is operable to couple to a corresponding branch line.

According to another illustrative embodiment, a system for distributing fuel gas to one or more fuel gas consuming assets comprises a fuel gas feed line configured to fluidically couple to a fuel gas source and a manifold body fluidically coupled to the fuel gas feed line. The manifold body comprises a central body having a first end and a second end, wherein the central body has a first internal diameter. The manifold body also comprises a plurality of branch line take-off pipes coupled to the central body. The internal diameter of each of the plurality of branch line take-off pipes is smaller than the first internal diameter, the plurality of branch line take-off pipes are coupled to the manifold body such that the longitudinal axes of each of the plurality of the branch line take-off pipes is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the central body, and each of the plurality of branch line take-off pipes fluidically couples the manifold body to a branch line corresponding to one of the one or more fuel gas consuming assets. The system for distributing fuel gas also includes a manifold coupler attached to the first end of the manifold body, wherein the manifold coupler is operable to fluidically couple the manifold body to the fuel gas feed line. The system for distributing fuel gas also includes a branch line coupler coupled to each branch line take-off pipe by a branch line valve wherein at least one of the branch lines is coupled to at least one of the branch line couplers. The system for distributing fuel gas also includes at least one fuel gas consuming asset fluidically coupled to the manifold body by at least one of the branch lines.

According to another illustrative embodiment, A method for distributing fuel gas comprises supplying fuel gas to one or more fuel gas consuming assets through a fuel gas manifold system. The fuel gas manifold system comprises a fuel gas feed line configured to fluidically couple to a fuel gas source and a manifold body fluidically coupled to the fuel gas feed line. The manifold body comprises a central body having a first end and a second end, wherein the central body has a first internal diameter. The manifold body also comprises a plurality of branch line take-off pipes coupled to the central body. The internal diameter of each of the plurality of branch line take-off pipes is smaller than the first internal diameter, the plurality of branch line take-off pipes are coupled to the manifold body such that the longitudinal axes of each of the plurality of the branch line take-off pipes is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the central body, and each of the plurality of branch line take-off pipes fluidically couples the manifold body to a branch line corresponding to one of the one or more fuel gas consuming assets. The fuel gas manifold system also comprises a manifold coupler attached to the first end of the manifold body, wherein the manifold coupler is operable to fluidically couple the manifold body to the fuel gas feed line. The fuel gas manifold system also comprises a branch line coupler coupled to each branch line take-off pipe by a branch line valve, wherein at least one of the branch lines is coupled to at least one of the branch line couplers. The method for distributing fuel gas also comprises at least one of the one or more fuel gas consuming assets fluidically coupled to the manifold body by at least one of the branch lines.

The objects, advantages and other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although various features are disclosed in relation to specific exemplary embodiments of the invention, it is understood that the various features may be combined with each other, or used alone, with any of the various exemplary embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT(S)

The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to practice these embodiments without undue experimentation. It should be understood, however, that the embodiments and examples described herein are given by way of illustration only, and not by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions, and rearrangements may be made that remain potential applications of the disclosed techniques. Therefore, the description that follows is not to be taken as limiting on the scope of the appended claims. In particular, an element associated with a particular embodiment should not be limited to association with that particular embodiment but should be assumed to be capable of association with any embodiment discussed herein.

As used herein, the terms “coupled” or “couple” include both a direct connection and an indirect connection between components. Similarly, the term “fluidically coupled” includes both a direct connection allowing fluid flow between two components as well as an indirect connection allowing fluid flow between two components. Further, in the figures and the description, like numerals are intended to represent like elements.

As used herein, “fuel gas” includes any gas that may be combusted, including hydrocarbon gasses. Examples of fuel gasses include natural gas, compressed natural gas (CNG), field gas, synthesis gas, liquified natural gas (LNG), gas residue, sale line gas, hydrogen, methane, propane, butane and combinations thereof. Field gas may include any hydrocarbon gas that is obtained directly from an oil and/or natural gas well or field of wells.

As used herein, the term “fuel gas consuming asset” includes any equipment or component of a system that consumes fuel gas and may need to be fed with fuel gas on location. The term “fuel gas consuming asset” further includes any fuel gas consuming equipment that needs to be fed fuel gas “on-location” because, for example, it is remotely located and/or it needs to operate continuously and therefore taking it offline to refuel or moving it to a fuel source to refuel results in asset downtime and is expensive, time consuming and/or otherwise inefficient. In one embodiment, the fuel consuming asset may be equipment used in oilfield applications such as, for example, equipment used to provide power for, in construction of, or development of oil and gas fields. The term “fuel gas consuming asset” may include a number of other equipment including, for example, electrical generators, irrigation pumps, emergency response generators, or any oilfield services equipment (e.g., fracturing equipment, etc.).

In one or more exemplary embodiments there is disclosed herein a new and improved distribution system for fuel gas and associated methods used to distribute fuel gas to a fuel gas consuming asset.

FIG.1illustrates a fuel gas manifold system100in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure. The fuel gas manifold system100provides for improved distribution of fuel gas to one or more fuel gas consuming assets (not pictured). The fuel gas manifold system100includes a fuel gas feed line101coupled to a manifold body110by a manifold coupler102a. One or more branch lines105may be coupled to the manifold body110by one or more corresponding branch line couplers104. Fuel gas feed line101may be any suitable gas transporting mechanism such as, for example, a hose or a pipe that provides fluidic coupling between a fuel gas source (not shown) and the manifold body110and provides for flow of fuel gas from a fuel gas source to the manifold body110. In certain illustrative embodiments, the fuel gas feed line101may have an internal diameter roughly equal to the internal diameter of the manifold body110, which, in a particular embodiment, may be about three inches. As would be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, having the benefit of the present disclosure, in other illustrative embodiments the gas feed line101and the manifold body110may have different diameters and an adapter (not shown) may be used to couple the two.

The manifold body110includes a central body111(e.g., a pipe) with one or more branch line take-offs112welded to the central body111. Each branch line take-off112is a short pipe that has a smaller internal diameter (ID) than the central body111and is fluidically coupled to the central body111such that fuel gas supplied to manifold body110through the feed line101may flow out of the manifold body110through the branch line take-offs112. In some embodiments, one or more branch line take-offs may be attached to the central body111and arranged opposite each other on each side of the central body111. In some embodiments, the branch line take-offs112are coupled to the central body11such that the longitudinal axes of the branch line take-offs112are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the central body111. Branch line take-offs112on one side of the central body112may have an angle between approximately 0 and 180 degrees with the branch line take-offs112located on the other side of the central body111. In a particular embodiment, the manifold body110may have a central body111with a plurality of branch line take-offs112on each side of the central body111with an angle of about 90 degrees between each bank of the branch line take-offs112, in other words the longitudinal axis of a branch line take off112disposed on one side of central body111may form an angle of approximately 90 degrees with the longitudinal axis of a branch line take off112disposed on the other side of central body111. For instance, in the illustrative embodiment ofFIG.1, there are six branch line take-offs disposed on each side of the central body111for a total of twelve branch line take-offs112. The ID of the central body111may be any desirable size. For instance, in certain illustrative embodiments, the ID of the central body111may be approximately in a range of between 2-4 inches and the ID of the branch line take-offs112may be approximately in a range of between 1-3 inches. In another embodiment, the manifold body110may have a central body111with six branch line take-offs112on each side of the central body111with an angle of about 180 degrees between each side of the central body, for a total of twelve branch line take-offs112, and the ID of the central body111may be approximately in a range of between 2-3 inches and the ID of the branch line take-offs112may be approximately in a range of between 1-3 inches. In other embodiments, the central body111may have an ID approximately in a range of between 2-12 inches and the branch line take-offs112may have an ID approximately in a range of between 1-8 inches.

The manifold body110, including the central body111and the branch line take-offs112, may be made of any suitable material as would be understood by a person having skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure, including, but not limited to carbon fiber, fiberglass, PVC, high density polyethylene, steel, stainless steel, titanium, Monel, Inconel, and other alloys. The wall thickness of the manifold body110, including the central body111and the branch line take-offs112, may have a wall pipe thickness of approximately between schedule40and schedule160. In certain illustrative embodiments, the manifold body110may be made of steel and have a central body111with an internal diameter of approximately in the range of between 2.5-3.5 inches and include twelve branch line takes-offs112with an internal diameter of approximately in the range of between 1.5-2.5 inches arranged in two banks of six branch line take-offs112having an angle of 90 degrees between each bank (i.e. 45 degrees from vertical).

The manifold body110may also include a manifold pressure gauge106to provide for monitoring of fuel gas pressure within the manifold body110. The manifold pressure gauge106may be fluidically coupled to the central body111and provide a measurement of the pressure of the fuel gas flowing through the central body111. The manifold pressure gauge106may be any digital or analog pressure gauge suitable for use in fuel gas service, as would be understood by a person having skill in the art with the benefit of the present disclosure. The manifold body110may also include one or more ports109(a single port shown in the illustrative embodiment) that may be used for installation of instrumentation or a pressure relief valve. The port109may be fluidically coupled to the central body111and provide for fluid communication between an installed instrument or pressure relief valve and the interior of the central body111. Instruments that may be installed on the one or more ports109may include any suitable instrument for use in fuel gas service, including but not limited to, flow meters, moisture meters, temperature measuring devices, and other instrumentation used to measure properties of a flowing fuel gas, as would be understood by a person having skill in the art with the benefit of the present disclosure. When not in use, the port109may be capped to prevent fuel gas from escaping the manifold body110. In some embodiments, when fuel is being supplied to one or more fuel consuming assets through the fuel gas manifold system100, the manifold pressure gauge106and/or one or more instruments coupled to the one or more ports109may be monitored. For example, the manifold pressure gauge106may be monitored to determine a pressure of fuel gas within the fuel gas manifold system100and the fuel gas source may be adjusted to reach a desired pressure or flow rate.

The manifold body110may also include one or more attachment points115, commonly referred to as “picking eyes” or “hoist rings,” that are coupled to the central body111. The one or more attachment points115may provide coupling of the manifold body110to a crane or hoist to facilitate movement of manifold body110. In a particular embodiment, the central body111may have two attachment points115, one at each end of the central body111. In certain illustrative embodiments, the one or more attachment points115may be welded to the central body111.

In some embodiments, a second manifold coupler102bmay be present at the end of manifold body110opposite the end having the manifold coupler102a. The second manifold coupler102bmay be capped or otherwise sealed if only one fuel gas manifold system100is in use or may be used to couple a first fuel gas manifold system100to a second fuel gas manifold system100, as is illustrated inFIG.7.

Each branch line take-off112may be coupled to a branch line valve103. The branch line valves103may be positioned between the manifold body110and the branch line couplers104and may provide for fluid isolation between the manifold body110and the branch lines105. For example, fuel gas flow to a particular branch line105may be shut off by closing a branch line valve103to accommodate coupling or decoupling of a fuel gas branch line105to a branch line coupler104.

The branch line valves103may be any valve suitable for fuel gas service, as would be understood by a person having skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure. Examples of branch line valves103include, but are not limited to gate valves, ball valves, globe valves, plug valves, and butterfly valves. In a particular embodiment, branch line valves103may be quarter turn ball valves manufactured by Balon.

In some embodiments, a branch line pressure gauge107and a branch line port108may be positioned between each branch line valve103and branch line coupler104. The branch line pressure gauge107and branch line port108may be fluidically coupled to the corresponding branch line take-off112, and therefore to the manifold body110, when the corresponding branch line valve103is open. The branch line pressure gauges107may be any digital or analog pressure gauge suitable for use in fuel gas service, as would be understood by a person having skill in the art with the benefit of the present disclosure. The branch line ports108may be used for installation of instrumentation or a pressure relief valve that is fluidically coupled to each branch line105. The branch line ports108may be fluidically coupled to the manifold body110and provide for fluid communication between an installed instrument or pressure relief valve and the interior of each branch line take-off112. Instruments that may be installed on the branch line ports108may include any suitable instrument for use in fuel gas service, including but not limited to, flow meters, moisture meters, temperature measuring devices, and other instrumentation used to measure properties of a flowing fuel gas, as would be understood by a person having skill in the art with the benefit of the present disclosure. When not in use, the branch line ports108may be capped to prevent fuel gas from escaping the manifold body110and branch lines105.

The branch line couplers104may include any coupler operable to allow for fluidic coupling between pipes, lines, or hoses, including but not limited to Dry-lock couplers, flanged couplers, screw couplers, “quick disconnect couplers” such as the NovaFlex coupler, as would be understood by one of skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. Likewise, manifold couplers102aand102bmay include any coupler operable to allow for fluidic coupling between pipes, lines, or hoses, including but not limited to Dry-lock couplers, flanged couplers, screw couplers, “quick disconnect couplers” such as the NovaFlex coupler, as would be understood by one of skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

If the manifold body110is not fluidically coupled to another manifold body110, one of manifold couplers102aor102bmay be sealed, for example by a valve, blind flange, cap, or other sealing apparatus as would be understood by one of skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. In certain illustrative embodiments, the manifold couplers102aand102bhave a larger internal diameter than the branch line couplers104. In some embodiments, the manifold couplers102aand102bmay have the same internal diameter as each other and the branch line couplers104may have the same internal diameter as the other branch line couplers104. In a particular embodiment, the manifold couplers102aand102bmay have an ID to accommodate coupling to a hose or pipe having an ID of approximately between 2-4 inches, and the branch line couplers104may have an ID to accommodate coupling to a hose or pipe having an ID of approximately between 1-3 inches.

FIGS.2and3depict front and rear perspective views of the fuel gas manifold system100ofFIG.1andFIG.4depicts a perspective side view of the fuel gas manifold system100ofFIG.1. In some embodiments, the manifold body110may be coupled to a cart/trailer200, as is illustrated inFIGS.2-4. The cart/trailer200may provide for transportation of the manifold body110between work sites or repositioning of the manifold body110around a work site. The cart/trailer200may include commonly available wheels and a trailer hitch, as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art given the benefit of this disclosure. As would be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure, other means of transporting the manifold system may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For instance, in certain implementations, the manifold system may be directly affixed to a vehicle for transport to (or between) job sites.

FIG.5provides an illustration of the fuel gas manifold system100ofFIGS.1-4fluidically coupled to a plurality of fuel gas consuming assets400in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure. For illustrative simplification,FIG.5illustrates a single side of the fuel gas manifold system100coupled to the fuel gas consuming assets400(i.e. six branch lines105in this illustrative embodiment). One of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure would understand that the embodiment of the fuel gas manifold system100illustrated inFIG.5may be coupled to up to six additional branch lines105disposed on the opposing side (not shown) of the fuel gas manifold system100, for a total of twelve branch lines105.

In certain illustrative embodiments, the fuel gas manifold100may be fluidically coupled to a fuel gas source420by a fuel gas feed line101. The fuel gas manifold system100may also be fluidically coupled to the branch lines105which are in turn fluidically coupled to one or more fuel consuming assets400. The fuel gas source420may be any source of fuel gas known in the art. Examples of fuel gas source420include tanks for storage of pressurized fuel gas, tanks for storage of liquified fuel gas, fuel gas wells such as fracking wells producing natural gas, and compressors fluidically coupled to fuel gas tanks or wells. The fuel gas source420may supply one or more gaseous fuels, including, but not limited to, compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen, and propane. Additionally, the fuel gas source420may include treatment of fuel gases to make the fuel gas more suitable for use by the fuel consuming assets400. In particular embodiments, fuel gas manifold system100may be coupled to a fuel gas source420that includes one or more alternative fuel offerings including, but not limited to: LNG, CNG, Hydrogen, Propane, and other gaseous fuels.

Fuel gas flows to the fuel consuming assets400from the fuel gas source420, through the fuel gas feed line101to the manifold body110. Fuel gas then flows through the manifold body110to one or more branch lines105, and through the one or more branch lines105to one or more fuel consuming assets500. In some embodiments, each branch line105may be coupled to two fuel consuming assets400by a branch line splitter500as is shown inFIG.6. As described herein, the fuel gas manifold system100provides the benefit of equalizing fuel gas flow to each of these fuel consuming assets400and ensuring the fuel consuming assets400are provided with adequate fuel gas flow and do not face fuel gas starvation problems.

In certain illustrative embodiments, the manifold body110may be supplied with fuel gas through the fuel gas feed line101at a pressure of approximately between 50-1500 PSI. As would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure, flow rate of fuel gas through the manifold system100may be a function of one or more of fuel gas supply pressure, fuel gas feed line101diameter, manifold body110diameter, branch line105diameter, the number of branch lines105connected to the manifold body110, and the one or more fuel gas consuming assets'400demand for fuel gas. For reference, an abbreviated table providing maximum recommend fuel gas flow in standard cubic feet per minute (SCFM) for particular IDs and pressures is shown below in Table 1. As would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure, Table 1 is not comprehensive for all possible fuel gas pressures or diameters of the manifold system100disclosed herein, and higher pressures and diameters from those listed may provide for higher maximum recommended fuel gas flow and likewise lower pressures and diameters from those listed may provide for lower maximum recommended fuel gas flow.

TABLE 1Maximum Recommended Fuel Gas Flow (SCFM)System PressureNominal Internal Diameter in Inches(psi)1″2″3″513802401021125370203521560040623851100609356016008012072021001001509002600150220135039002002901750500025037022003100

FIG.6depicts a perspective view of a branch splitter500in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure. Brach splitter500may fluidically couple a branch line105to two capillary lines505aand505b. Branch splitter500may include a branch splitter body501, capillary valves503aand503b(corresponding to the capillary lines505aand505b, respectively), and capillary couplers504aand504b(corresponding to the capillary lines505aand505b, respectively). Capillary couplers504aand504bmay include any coupler operable to allow for fluidic coupling between pipes, lines, or hoses, including but not limited to Dry-lock couplers, flanged couplers, screw couplers, “quick disconnect couplers” such as the NovaFlex coupler, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. In some embodiments, the capillary couplers504aand504bmay include a bushing to reduce the internal dimeter from that of the branch line105to that of the capillary line505aand505b. In certain illustrative embodiments, the capillary couplers504aand504bmay include a 2 inch to 1 inch bushing to couple the branch line105with an internal diameter of 2 inches to the capillary lines505aand505bwith an internal diameter of 1 inch. In other embodiments, the capillary lines505aand505bmay have an internal diameter of approximately between 0.5-3 inches, and the capillary couplers504aand504bmay include an appropriate bushing to couple the capillary lines505aand505bto a branch line105. Additionally, the splitter body501may include a swivel to allow the splitter body501to pivot at the end of the branch line105around where the splitter body501is coupled to the branch line105.

Capillary valves503aand503bmay be used to isolate the branch splitter500from capillary lines503aor503b, respectively, to allow for coupling or decoupling of capillary lines503aor503bfrom capillary couplers504aand504b. As with branch line valves103, capillary valves503aand503bmay be any valve suitable for fuel gas service, as would be understood by a person having skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure. Examples of capillary valves503aand503binclude, but are not limited to, gate valves, ball valves, globe valves, plug valves, and butterfly valves. In certain embodiments, capillary valves503aand503bmay be quarter turn ball valves.

The exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG.5shows twelve fuel gas consuming assets fluidically coupled to fuel gas manifold system100. However,FIG.5illustrates a single side of the fuel gas manifold system100coupled to the branch line105. Accordingly, the embodiment of fuel gas manifold system100illustrated byFIG.5may be fluidically coupled to an equal number of fuel gas consuming assets500by branch lines105coupled to the other lateral side of fuel gas manifold system100(not shown), for a total of twenty-four fuel consuming assets500according to the illustrated embodiment. In other embodiments, the fuel gas manifold system100may be configured to couple to greater or fewer than six branch lines105on each lateral side of the fuel gas manifold system100. Additionally, a fuel gas manifold system100may be coupled to one or more additional manifold systems100, as shown inFIG.7.

FIG.7illustrates a fuel distribution system700that includes a first fuel gas manifold system100afluidically coupled to a second fuel gas manifold system100bby a coupling line601. The fuel gas manifold system100amay be fluidically coupled to a fuel gas feed line101by a manifold coupler102a. The fuel gas manifold system100ais fluidically coupled to a coupling line601by manifold coupler102band the coupling line601is also fluidically coupled to the fuel gas manifold system100bby a manifold coupler102aof the fuel gas manifold system100b. The coupling line601fluidically couples the fuel gas manifold system100ato the fuel gas manifold system100band may comprise a length of hose or pipe with an internal diameter about equal to that of the fuel gas manifold system100a, the fuel gas manifold system100b, and/or the feed line101. The coupling line601may be fitted with coupling ends that are complimentary to the manifold couplers102aand102band a person having ordinary skill in the art, with the benefit of this disclosure, would be able to select and appropriate coupler. For example, the coupling line601may have NovaFlex couplers or threaded connections selected for compatibility with a chosen manifold coupler102aor102b. In a particular embodiment, all couplings of the fuel distribution system700, e.g. manifold couplers102aand102b, the branch line couplers104, and the capillary couplers504may be appropriately sized NovaFlex couplers to allow for quick and clean coupling of the lines of fuel distribution system700.

As withFIG.5, each of the fuel gas manifold systems100aand100billustrated inFIG.7are shown with only half of the possible branch lines105coupled to the fuel gas manifold systems100aand100b. Therefore, each illustrated manifold may distribute enough fuel gas to provide fuel gas for twice the number of fuel consuming assets400that are illustrated. In other embodiments, the fuel gas manifold systems100aand100bmay be configured to couple to greater or fewer than six branch lines105on each lateral side of each of fuel gas manifold system100aand100b.

As would be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of the present disclosure the methods and systems disclosed herein provide several advantages. For example, once the manifold system100has been connected, the manifold facilitates even fuel gas distribution between a plurality of fuel gas consuming assets400, reducing problems of any particular fuel gas consuming asset experiencing fuel gas starvation. Moreover, the fuel gas manifold100allows for connection and disconnection of fuel gas consuming assets400during operation by use of valves103, and/or503to isolate fuel gas flow to particular branch lines105or capillary lines505. As would be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, having the benefit of the present disclosure, this is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all advantages and benefits of the methods and systems disclosed herein and other advantages are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, having the benefit of the present disclosure.

As would be appreciated, numerous other various combinations of the features discussed above can be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. While the subject of this specification has been described in connection with one or more exemplary embodiments, it is not intended to limit any claims to the particular forms set forth. On the contrary, any claims directed to the present disclosure are intended to cover such alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within their spirit and scope. Accordingly, all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure.