Gas Compression Fundamentals

TERMINOLOGY
(Jargon) Gas Compressor Industry Language

Compression

= The act of pressing or compacting into a smaller space. 2

Terminology
R/Rc Ps/P1 Pd/P2 Ts/T1 Td/T2 Ta Hp HE CE VE K = = = = = = = = = = = ratio of compression suction pressure discharge pressure suction temperature discharge temperature ambient temperature horse power head end crank end volumetric efficiency ratio of specific heats of a particular natural gas - a thermal dynamic value

Terminology
Ratio of Compression (RC) RC = Discharge Pressure(Pd)psig + 14.7 = ??? psia Suction Pressure (Ps)psig + 14.7 = ??? psia

Note: Elevation or Barometric pressure must be taken into account when figuring Rc.

Terminology
Finding Ratio of Compression (RC) Example 1: Ps = 200 psig, Pd = 600 psig
Rc = 600 psig + 14.7 = 614.7 psia = 2.863 200 psig + 14.7 = 214.7 psia

Example 2: Ps = 20 psig, Pd = 600 psig

Rc = 600psig + 14.7 = 614.7psia = 17.7 20psig + 14.7 = 34.7psia

Note: If we had not converted to psia the ratio would have been 30:1.
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Terminology
Finding Approximate HP Requirement: To find the HP required for a single stage unit (example 1): Approximating HP Formula using Example #1 HP = 21 x Rc x S x Q Where:
HP 21 Rc S Q = Horse Power = Standard (Constant) = Ratio Of Compression = # of Stages = Quantity in MMCFD
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HP = 21 x 2.86 x 1 x 2 = 120.12 or 121

Terminology
Finding Approximate HP Requirement: To find the HP required for a two stage unit (example 2): Take the square root of the ratio found earlier: Rc = 17.71 = 4.20 HP = 21 x Rc x S x Q HP = 21 X 4.2 X 2 X 1 HP = 176.4

Terminology

SA

= Single Acting - The act of compressing on one end of the compressor cylinder. = Double Acting - The act of compressing on both ends of the compressor cylinder.

DA

Terminology
Clearance Volume = The volume remaining in the compressor cylinder at the end of the discharge stroke. Normally expressed as a % of piston displacement. Displacement = Area of piston X length of stroke X # of strokes per minute. For DA compressors, the displacement on the CE is less than the HE due to the rod area. Normally expressed in cubic feet per minute or CFM.
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Terminology
Capacity = (or flow rate) Volume of gas compressed and delivered at specified conditions of temperature & pressure measured at the compressor inlet. Usually expressed as volume/unit of time - cubic feet per minute or cubic feet per day. 30F approach means the cooler will cool the gas to 130 when ambient temperature is 100F.
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Approach

Terminology
Swept Volume = The volume swept by the piston during the forward and/or backward stroke. = Compressor speed is not a factor. = Normally expressed in cubic inches and calculated as follows:
Swept Volume HE = Area of Piston X Stroke in Inches Swept Volume CE = (Area of Piston - Area of Rod) X Stroke in Inches Total Swept Volume = (2 X Area of Piston - Area of Rod) X Stroke In Inches
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Terminology
Total Swept Volume Example (DA): 6 Diameter x 7 Stroke 2.5 Piston Rod Diameter Total Swept Volume = (2 X 28.274 - 4.909) X 7 = (56.548 - 4.909) X 7 = 51.639 X 7 = 361.473 cu. In.
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Terminology
Units of Measure: PSI PSIG PSIA MMCFD MMSCFD = pounds per square inch = pounds per square inch gauge = pounds per square inch absolute = gauge + atmospheric pressure = million cubic feet per day = million cubic feet per day @ the standard conditions of 14.65psia & 60F

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Terminology
In-Hg = = inches of mercury pressure can be a manometer or mercury filled gauge, used where pressures are low & extreme accuracy is desired 1 Hg = .491 PSI inches of water pressure usually a manometer filled with water used for measuring very low pressure 1/13.6 as heavy as mercury 13.6 of H2O = 1 of Hg = .491 PSI 14

= In-H2O = = = =

Terminology
Temperature: Temperature = A measure of molecular energythe higher the temperature the more molecular energy. Degrees Fahrenheit (F) = Temperature scale where, at sea level, the freezing point of water is 32 & the boiling point is 212. The distance between these two points is 180.
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Terminology
Temperature: Degrees Centigrade or Celsius (C) = A scale used worldwide which relates to the metric system. At sea level, the freezing point of pure water is 0 & the boiling point is 100. The distance between these two points is 100. Temperature range: Centigrade = 100 = Fahrenheit = 180 =

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Terminology
Temperature:

Converting from F to C expressed as follows: C = 5/9 X ( F - 32) Example: Convert 100 F to C C = 5/9 X (100 - 32) = 5/9 X 68 = 37.8 C
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Terminology

Inline V
Configuration Configuration

Horizontal Opposed
Configuration
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Separable Engine

Terminology

Click Here

Separable Compressor Frame

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Terminology

Compressor

Engine
Separables Coupled
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Left Bank

Right Bank

Sheave

1L 2L 3L 4L 5L

1R 3 2R 2 3R 1 4R
Flywheel

LH

RH

5R

Flywheel

INTEGRAL ENGINECOMPRESSORS
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Rod Load Definitions

External Rod Load
The external rod load of a reciprocating compressor is a calculation considering the unit in a static state. The calculation for deriving the ERL is: ERL = PD(HA) - PS(CA) where:
PD = Discharge Pressure at the cylinder flange PS = Suction Pressure at the cylinder flange HA = Head End surface area of the piston CA = Crank End surface area of the piston

Internal Rod Load

The internal rod load is often noted as the internal gas rod load of a reciprocating compressor and the terms are synonymous. The IRL is a dynamic rod load calculation based upon the internal gas pressures within the cylinder bore. These gas pressures take into account the dynamic pressure drop characteristics found across the valves and gas passages. The IRL is calculated through 360 rotation of the crankshaft with the highest values being used.

Net Rod Load

The net rod load is considered a dynamic rod load rating. The NRL is the sum of the IRL calculation and the inertia loads of the reciprocating weights. The NRL is calculated through 360 rotation of the crankshaft with the highest values being used.

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ERL Compression
Area of piston in square inches times discharge pressure, minus area of piston, minus area of rod times suction pressure.

2.5

Pd=814.7 PSIA

Ps=214.7 PSIA

= 28.274 x 814.7 - (28.274 - 4.909) x 214.7 = 23,035 - (23.365 x 214.7) = 23.035 - 5016 = 18,019 #

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ERL Tension
Area of piston in square inches, minus area of rod times discharge pressure, minus area of the piston times suction pressure.

2.5

Ps=214.7 PSIA

Pd=814.7 PSIA

= (28.274 - 4.909) x 814.7 - (28.274 x 214.7) = 23.365 x 814.7 - (28.274 x 214.7) = 19,035 - 6070 = 12,965 #

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Piston Rods Exceeding Rod Load

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Oil

Piston Rod Crosshead

Crosshead Pin Connecting Rod

Crank Pin

Oil

Rod Reversal

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Data needed for Compressor Sizing: Operating Conditions Gas properties Approximate HP per application: Suction Pressure (PS) Discharge Pressure (Pd) Quantity of gas in MMCFD Conditions Assumed: Suction Temp (TS) = 80F Ambient Temp (Ta) = 100F Discharge Temp (Td) required approach = 20F Altitude = < 1500 Atmospheric Pressure = 14psi Specific Gravity = 0.64 N value = 1.26 Sweet Gas

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Any Questions?

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