Basic

Compression

What is a Gas?
It is a fluid

It is compressible
It will completely fill the volume in
which it is contained
We generally deal with gas mixtures
These mixtures generally behave as
an equivalent ideal gas

Ideal Gas Law

This Ideal Gas Law is one of the most widely used relationships in
gas measurement work. It approximates the behavior of many
gases under conditions close to ordinary atmospheric temperatures
and pressures.

212 F
20 PSIA

60 F

64.6 PSIA

4.0 cu ft
10 cu ft

T = absolute temperature; R; ( Rankine = F + 460)

P = PSIA; (psig + patm)
V= volume in cubic feet
Natural gas: SG = 0.65 and k=1.28

Gas Conditions
Pressure - the force exerted over a unit of area by the
motion of the gas molecules. It acts equally in all
directions.
Atmospheric pressure - the weight of the air on a given
area.
Gauge pressure - the pressure above or below
atmospheric pressure.

Gas Conditions
Temperature - caused by the heat motion of
molecules. At absolute zero (-460OF or -273OC) there
is no molecular motion.
Absolute Temperature Rankine = degrees Fahrenheit + 460
Kelvin = degrees Celsius + 273

Volume - is the space a substance occupies.

Gas Conditions
When performing compressor calculations or using gas
laws, pressure and temperature must be expressed in
absolute units.
Gas flows are usually stated in terms of the flow at
standard conditions. In North America the standard
conditions are 14.696 psia and 60oF.

Natural Gas Components

Physical Constraints of Natural Gas Components

SG Air = 1.0

Natural Gas Composition

Example of Natural Gas Composition in Volume %
Component

Field
Gas 1

Field
Gas 2

Field
Gas 3

Field
Gas 4

Dry, Sweet
Pipeline Gas

Methane

27.52

68.00

71.01

89.79

92.20

Ethane

16.34

6.40

12.09

4.60

5.90

Propane

28.10

6.50

7.91

2.04

0.30

I-Butane

5.37

0.67

1.68

0.89

0.00

N-Butane

17.18

0.00

2.09

0.00

0.00

I-Pentane

2.18

0.30

1.17

0.26

0.00

N-Pentane

1.72

0.00

1.72

0.00

0.00

Hexane

0.47

0.00

1.52

0.24

0.00

Heptanes & Heavier

0.04

0.00

0.81

0.00

0.00

Carbon Dioxide

0.00

0.40

0.00

0.00

0.00

Hydrogen Sulfide

1.08

5.40

0.00

0.05

0.00

Nitrogen

0.00

12.33

0.00

2.13

1.60

SG

1.328

0.752

0.860

0.629

0.592

Total

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

Natural Gas Composition

The proportion of each gas component will determine
the properties of the equivalent gas
Compressor calculations require:
Specific Gravity
SG
The ratio of the molecular weight of a given gas to the
molecular weight of dry air at STP (14.7 psia & 60oF).
Ratio of Specific Heats
k
The rate of change that energy is transferred into the gas
Compressibility
z
A gas departure from ideal gas behavior.

Gas Characteristics
Other characteristics of a gas can include:
Wet gas - a gas that is at the temperature and
pressure where liquids condense.
Corrosive gas - a gas that has components which
attack normal materials of construction.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) with water
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)

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Cylinder Characteristics
Fixed clearance
Head end
clearance

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PT Diagram

Pdis

Compression

Expansion

Psuc

12

Performance Measurements

13

Performance Measurements

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Performance Measurements

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PT Diagram

Pd

Crank End
or
Inboard End

Head End
or
Outboard End

Ps

ODC

IDC

ODC

Crank angle - Degrees

16

Pressure Volume Diagram

Internal pressure, psia

Discharge

Pdis

Expansion

Compression

3
2

Psuc

Intake

Piston position (Volume)

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Pressure Volume Diagram

Pd
Head End
or
Outboard End

Crank End
or
Inboard End

Ps

ODC

Min. Vol. - Head End

Max. Vol. - Crank End

IDC

Volume

Max. Vol. - Head End

Min. Vol. - Crank End

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Volumetric Efficiency
Measure of how efficient the cylinder is at
displacing volume.
Function of clearance and compression ratio.
Portion of stroke when valves are open gas is
flowing.

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Volumetric Efficiency
Pdis

Volumetric Efficiency (VE)

Psuc

Intake

20

Changing System / Stage Conditions

Higher compression ratio

Same clearance volume

More gas molecules trapped at end of
compression cycle
Re-expansion takes longer

Reduced volumetric efficiency

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Changing System Conditions

Higher compression ratio
Same clearance volume
Pdis 4.0 CR
Pdis 3.0 CR
66% VE
51% VE

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Changing Gas Conditions

Different molecular weight gases
Different gas characteristics
k value
Specific gravity

Gas

SG

Air

1.0

1.4

Natl Gas 0.65

1.27

Propane 1.52

1.13

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Ariel Compressor Applications

PRODUCTION

PIPELINE

Gas gathering
Gas lift
Well depletion

Booster
Storage - injection &
withdrawal
Mainline transmission

PROCESS
Propane refrigeration
Residue gas
Natural gas vehicle
refueling (CNG)
Fuel gas booster

AIR
Seismic air - high pressure
Air drilling booster
Process air

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Compressor Types

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