New DATUM-C Electric Motor-Driven Compressor Provides Quiet, Emission-Free Solution For Natural Gas Pipeline Applications For equipment operators in natural gas pipeline applications – where quiet, emission-free operations are essential – Dresser-Rand (D-R) has introduced the DATUM Model C (DATUM-C) electric motor-driven compressor.  Dresser-Rand is the world leader in advanced centrifugal compressor technology, with more than 100 years experience designing compressors for virtually every type of application. D-R’s new DATUM-C pipeline compressor incorporates all of the modular design advantages first introduced in the DATUM line of compressors, now with an integrated, high-speed electric induction motor. This unique design solution makes DATUM-C a solution for pipeline applications near urban areas where electric power is readily available, and where environmental impact is of greatest concern. The DATUM-C is the result of several years of research and development by Dresser-Rand in conjunction with a major U.S. pipeline client and the U.S. Department of Energy. “The idea really came about through our discussions with one of our clients,” said Harry Miller, product manager, Marketing at Dresser-Rand, and one of the key engineers responsible for the original DATUM development. “They sought to build a pipeline station in an underground bunker, which would require very little maintenance support, and which would be non-intrusive to the surrounding landscape. In addition, they recognized there would be inherent security advantages with that type of facility. The challenge was designing a totally enclosed compression system with inline flanges and a natural gas cooled electric motor.”  After some of the early designs proved promising, D-R’s project caught the attention of the U.S. Department of Energy (D.O.E.). In 2003, D-R secured funding from the D.O.E. as part of a larger initiative for U.S. manufacturers to develop leading edge technologies for natural gas industry infrastructure reliability. “The D.O.E. recognized the value of the DATUM-C, and the positive impact it could have on the pipeline industry. Their help has been instrumental in our bringing this product to market.”  Since first introducing the DATUM design in 1995, Dresser-Rand has successfully applied the same product scaling and modular bundle philosophy to other compressor products, including the D-R M-Line and B-Line compressors, as well as the P-Line pipeline booster compressors. D-R has designed, manufactured and installed more than 750 pipeline compressors for the gas transmission industry, with the first installation occurring in 1947.  DATUM-C offers the same advanced technologies and modular design concepts available in traditional DATUM compressors, providing equipment operators with greater ease of maintenance and life cycle value. “The DATUM-C is really the first spin-off technology based on the success of the DATUM compressor product line,” Miller said.  A key task in the early stages of the development of the DATUM-C was the selection of an electric motor suited to the project. After extensive research to find a motor company with a proven track record and technological capabilities, D-R selected Curtiss-Wright Corporation, of Roseland, New Jersey. “Once we identified Curtiss-Wright, and saw some of the things they had accomplished for the U.S. Navy, we knew we had a good fit,” Miller said. “There are other great industrial motor manufacturers out there, but Curtiss-Wright had the best combination of high technology motor and engineering expertise for a project such as this.”  The integrated two-pole induction motor from Curtiss-Wright uses magnetic bearings supplied by Kingsbury, and a self-contained natural gas cooling system. The unit operates at 10 MW with 6,900 volts available at the terminals, and a maximum continuous speed of 12,000 RPM.