Patent attributes
A hydrocarbon flow control generator system includes a pressurized hydrocarbon flow inlet, an expansion device in pressurized hydrocarbon flow communication with the pressurized hydrocarbon flow inlet, a generator connected to the expansion device, a drive system connecting the generator and the expansion device, a gathering point at which depressurized hydrocarbon stream is delivered to an end use location, and a variable load device via which an electrical power stream generated by the generator is delivered to an electric load. The expansion device is configured to receive a highly pressurized hydrocarbon stream from the pressurized hydrocarbon flow inlet, control and regulate a received hydrocarbon stream, and depressurize the hydrocarbon stream. The variable load device is configured to adjust load on the generator by adjusting electrical demand on the generator based on a pressure of the depressurized hydrocarbon stream sensed between the expansion device and the gathering point.