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Compressor PTC-10 Type 1 Versus Type 2 Test-1

Ptc turb

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dachrydax
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191 views

Compressor PTC-10 Type 1 Versus Type 2 Test-1

Ptc turb

Uploaded by

dachrydax
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MYTH BUSTERS

MYTH: AN ASME PTC-10


TYPE 1 IS BETTER THAN
A TYPE 2 TEST
A
n ASME Power Test Code 10 (PTC-10) is In a type 2 test, test conditions are selected so
a closed loop performance test for centrif- that aerodynamic similarity is reached. The
ugal compressors. It is often undertaken in volume reduction due to the compressibility of the
the factory prior to shipping of a new gas is retained. Machine Mach numbers are the
compressor. It is a rather expensive test since it same as for the contractual operating conditions.
requires complete installation and commissioning This means that all velocity relationships within
of the compressor in the factory. the compressor are the same as for the contractual
There are two alternative procedures to test conditions. It is not required to operate at the
the centrifugal compressor offered in PTC-10: same pressure or flow of the specified conditions,
i. A test with a gas that is very close in compo- nor will the compressor operate at the same speed
sition and thermodynamic properties to the or power consumption as required for the
specified (design or guarantee point) gas at compressor at the specified condition. The ASME
pressures and power demand close to the power test code provides a precise methodology to
contractual values called a type 1 test or accomplish this, and the rules for reaching an
ii. A test using a substitute gas that is different aerodynamically similar point are well proven,
from the contractual gas but allows to emulate allowing a precise representation of the
the aerodynamic operating conditions, usually operating conditions.
with an inert gas mixture like Nitrogen or
Carbon dioxide, and at pressures lower than
the specified gas, called a type 2 test. The extra effort to conduct a PTC 10 Type 1 test
Considering the distinction between the two does not lead to more preci­sion regarding
tests, it appears obvious that by definition the type the aerodynamic and performance results.
1 test is the more desirable choice since it utilizes
the actual gas composition rather than an
emulated gas. But sometimes the obvious choice is The key advantage of using a gas as allowed by
not necessarily the best option or right answer. a type 2 test is, that the gas, typically a pure or
Before we dig into the question, let’s provide binary gas mixture, is available with a precisely
more details about these tests. For one, PTC-10 known composition. The thermodynamic
tests are tests to confirm aerodynamic compressor behavior, that is the relationships between pres-
performance. Nothing else. There is nothing in sure, temperature and volume, is well known. The
PTC-10 about verifying mechanical limits or use of similarity laws is well established, Mach
characteristics. The compressor has a contractu- numbers are retained, and this allows to maintain
ally agreed guarantee performance point that is to aerodynamic relationships. The gas mixture used
be verified in a PTC 10 test. i.e., this is a test for in a type 1 test will generally not provide that
compressor power, efficiency, and aerodynamic advantage. Therefore, a type 2 test will generally
operating range only. provide more accurate performance test results.
The operating point is defined by a gas flow, a Furthermore, the setup time, test duration,
suction and discharge pressure, a suction tempera- and costs for a type 1 test is generally significantly
ture, and a gas composition. While a Type 1 test larger than for a type 2 test. Test stand capabili-
requires the use of a gas composition very similar ties, and the available power of the test stand
to the actual design gas composition, a type 2 test drivers have to be considered when deciding since
allows the use of a different gas, typically an inert a type 1 test usually requires more power and thus
gas like Nitrogen or CO2. larger drivers. For a type 1 test the gas must be

42 www.turbomachinerymag.com September/October 2022 • Turbomachinery International


MYTH BUSTERS

carefully mixed from several components, and the time consumption for a PTC-10 test. ■
mixture concentrations have to be maintained
throughout the test to avoid uncertainties.
On the positive side, the operating conditions
required for a type 1 test can provide information Klaus Brun is the Director of R&D at
about the rotordynamic and mechanical behavior Elliott Group. He is also the past Chair of
of the compressor. However, the test code by itself the Board of Directors of the ASME
does not provide any requirement to monitor or International Gas Turbine Institute and
measure these characteristics. The ASME PTC10 the IGTI Oil & Gas
code is strictly an aerodynamic test code. There are applications committee.
other tests, mentioned in the API 617 standard,
such as a full load, or full speed and full pressure Rainer Kurz is the Manager of Gas
test, that are designed to verify the rotordynamic Compressor Engineering at Solar
performance or the mechanical behavior. Turbines Incorporated in San Diego, CA.
In other words, the extra effort to conduct a He is an ASME Fellow since 2003 and
PTC 10 Type 1 test does not lead to more preci- the past chair of the IGTI Oil and Gas
sion regarding the aerodynamic and performance Applications Committee.
results than a type 2 test. It may actually result in
reduced accuracy since there are higher gas Any views or opinions presented in this article are solely those of the
composition measurement uncertainties. And it authors and do not necessarily represent those of Solar Turbines
certainly will significantly increase the cost and Incorporated, Elliott Group, or any of their affiliates.

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Turbomachinery International • September/October 2022 www.turbomachinerymag.com 43

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