Compressor basics

COMPRESSORS

STATIC

DYNAMIC

RECIPROCATING

SCREW

CENTRIFUGAL

AXIAL

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Compressor basics
Compressor selection
Positive displacement machine Reciprocating compressors
Compression Motion Delivery Volume flow Compression ration Operation Principle Reciprocating Intermittent Low High Low Medium Constant volume - Variable pressure

Compressors Turbo compressors ____ Screw compressors m Centrifugal compressors Axial-flow compressors

Rotary vane compressors

Volume

Conversion of kinetic energy Rotating Rotating Continuous Low/high Medium Very high Low

Quasi-continuous Low/medium

Variable volume - Quasi constant pressure

Function of a a compressor Page 2

To render a specific volume of gas from a given initial condition into a desired final condition (pressure/temperature)

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Compressor basics
Flow path

Diffusers
Discharge Suction

5 3
Impellers
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Compressor basics
Flow characteristics The theoretical performance curve typically has a shape as is shown in the figure below.
Friction losses Friction losses are the
energy losses occurring in the various flow passages of the stage caused by gas friction (like pipe losses).

SH LO OCK SSE S

T HE OR ET DIS ICA KF LC RIC HA T IO RA N& CT ER LEA IST KA IC GE LO SSE S FR ICT IO NL OS SES

SH OC K LO SSE S

HEAD

Shock losses
Shock losses occur at the impeller vanes, diffuser vanes and return guide vanes. At high positive or negative incidence (inlet angle of the gas) the flow separates from the vane surfaces, leading to

S PEED = CONS T ANT FLOW

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increased losses.
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Compressor basics
Centrifugal compression theory
Energy transfer through impeller

U = Circumferential velocity W = Relative velocity C = Absolute velocity 1 = Impeller inlet 2 = Impeller outlet on outlet
Theoretical head without losses:

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Compressor basics

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Compressor basics
Developing the compressor curve

Rc/ Pc/ Hp
Rc2 Rc1

Rprocess,2 Rprocess,1

Compressor curve for a specific speed N1

Q2

Q1

Qs / Qv / Qm

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Compressor basics
Developing the compressor curve
process limit

Rc

adding control margins maximum speed surge limit power limit

stonewall or choke limit Actual available operating zone minimum speed stable zone of operation

Qs,
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vol

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Compressor basics
Developing the surge cycle on the compressor curve (1)
From A to B From C to D A-B-C-D-A 20 - 50 ms 20 - 120 ms 0.3 - 3 seconds Drop into surge Jump out of surge Surge cycle

H
B A Pd D C Pv Rlosses

Qs,

vol

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Compressor basics
Anti-surge controller
VSDS Compressor

FT 1

PsT 1

PdT 1

Suction

UIC 1

Discharge

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Compressor basics
Compressor performance control Also called: Throughput control Capacity control Process control Matches the compressor throughput to the load

Can be based on controlling: Discharge pressure

Process
PT 1

PIC 1

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Compressor basics
Compressor performance control Also called: Throughput control Capacity control Process control Matches the compressor throughput to the load

Can be based on controlling: Discharge pressure Suction pressure

Process
PT 1

PIC 1

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Compressor basics
Compressor performance control Also called: Throughput control Capacity control Process control Matches the compressor throughput to the load

Can be based on controlling: Discharge pressure Suction pressure Net flow to the user Blow off

Process
PT 1

PIC 1

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Compressor basics
Compressor performance control Also called: Throughput control Capacity control Process control Matches the compressor throughput to the load

Can be based on controlling: Discharge pressure Suction pressure Net flow to the user Blow off Recycle

Process
PT 1

PIC 1

Page 14

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Compressor basics
Compressor performance control Also called: Throughput control Capacity control Process control Matches the compressor throughput to the load

Can be based on controlling: Discharge pressure Suction pressure Net flow to the user Blow off Recycle Guide vanes

Process
PT 1

PIC 1

Page 15

Siemens AG 2007. All rights reserved.

Compressor basics
Compressor performance control Also called: Throughput control Capacity control Process control Matches the compressor throughput to the load

Can be based on controlling: Discharge pressure Suction pressure Net flow to the user Blow off Recycle Guide vanes Speed

SIC 1

Process
PT 1

PIC 1

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Compressor basics

P1 Throttling P2 Throttling Design Point Recycle Control

Disch. Press

Speed control

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Mass Flow

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