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http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5385/is_200811/ai_n31171043/
22/11/2011
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Both types of events, however, are not surge events. Nonetheless, in some instances, they are used to define the lowest flow for the compressor before recycling is necessary. At very high flows, the added losses due to increasing incidence angles, flow separation, or in some instances reaching the speed of sound in the impeller inducer, limits the maximum flow through the compressor at a given speed: The compressor is said to be in choke. For many compressors on the market, operating in choke does not cause problems. However continued operation in choke can result in high cycle fatigue failure of blade metal for some compressor models. The compressor manufacturer's recommendations as to a particular model's ability to continuously operate in choke should be followed. As a minimum, operating in choke should be avoided because it is very inefficient. Choke is easily detectable, and, if necessary, can be avoided. A function of piping Compressors will surge when forward flow through the compressor can no longer be maintained due to an increase in pressure across the compressor, and a momentary flow reversal occurs. Once a surge event occurs, the reversal of flow reduces the discharge pressure or increases the suction pressure, thus allowing forward flow to resume again until the pressure rise again reaches the surge point. This surge cycle continues at a low frequency until some change is made in the process or compressor conditions. Surge is a global instability in a compressor's flow that results in a complete breakdown and reversal of flow through the compressor. Full surge is a source of violent axial (and radial) dynamic forces on the compressor's elements and must be completely avoided. Surge, mild surge, violent surge, stability limit, and stall are often used interchangeably. One of the key problems is that the surge phenomenon is not just simply a compressor characteristic but is a systems issue: It is the result of the interaction of the centrifugal compressor with the piping system it is connected to. The net effect is that the compressor may enter into surge even though the maximum head (stability limit) at a given speed has not been reached. This follows from simple stability considerations: At flows higher than maximum head, any disturbance reducing the flow (for example, the closing of a downstream valve) will cause the compressor to increase the pressure ratio, thus counteracting the change. At flows lower than maximum head, where the slope of the head-flow relationship is positive, the same disturbance would cause the pressure ratio to fall. The net effect is an amplification of the flow disturbance which rapidly leads to full surge. It is also important to distinguish between full flow reversal where gas actually flows backwards through the compressor, which is called violent surge, and any other condition where the compressor loses the capability to make the necessary head, but is able to catch the flow before it can totally reverse, which is usually called mild surge. Mild surge and violent surge are very much functions of the piping geometry rather than the performance of the compressor and thus are difficult to determine from performance predictions or factory tests. Piping geometry, placement of check valves, and the surge avoidance system characteristics are critical and should be considered early in the design process of any new compression installation. In general, systems to avoid operation in surge, and where necessary, in choke, are well established, and reliably prevent compressors from damage.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5385/is_200811/ai_n31171043/
22/11/2011
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Authors Klaus Brun is the manager for rotating machinery at Southwest Research Institute (SWRI: San Antonio, TX). Klaus is a past chairman of the ASME-IGTI Oil & Gas Committee and currently a member of the IGTI Board of Directors. Rainer Kurz is the manager of systems analysis for Solar Turbines Incorporated in San Diego, CA. He is an ASME Fellow since 2003 and past chair of the IGT Oil & Gas applications committee. Copyright Turbomachinery International Nov/Dec 2008 Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved Tweet
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http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5385/is_200811/ai_n31171043/
22/11/2011