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Gas Compression

The document discusses different types of gas compressors, including positive displacement and dynamic compressors. Positive displacement compressors include reciprocating compressors, which use pistons or plungers to compress gas in single or double-acting cylinders, and can operate at pressures up to 30,000 psi. Centrifugal compressors are a type of dynamic compressor that uses centrifugal force from a rotating wheel to increase gas pressure, and are suitable for high volume flows at pressures up to 10,000 psia. The document also outlines key advantages of reciprocating and centrifugal compressors and factors to consider when selecting a compressor for a given gas transmission application.

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melannie adante
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110 views

Gas Compression

The document discusses different types of gas compressors, including positive displacement and dynamic compressors. Positive displacement compressors include reciprocating compressors, which use pistons or plungers to compress gas in single or double-acting cylinders, and can operate at pressures up to 30,000 psi. Centrifugal compressors are a type of dynamic compressor that uses centrifugal force from a rotating wheel to increase gas pressure, and are suitable for high volume flows at pressures up to 10,000 psia. The document also outlines key advantages of reciprocating and centrifugal compressors and factors to consider when selecting a compressor for a given gas transmission application.

Uploaded by

melannie adante
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Gas Compression
Type of Compressors

Depending on application, compressors are manufactured


as positive-displacement, dynamic, or thermal type:

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I. Positive Displacement Type
Reciprocating Compressors

The reciprocating compressor consists of one or more cylinders


each with a piston or plunger that moves back and forth,
displacing a positive volume with each stroke. They are single-
acting or double-acting:

Clearance

Stroke length

Ar = Rod
diameter
AP = Piston diameter

Single-acting Double-acting
3
Reciprocating Compressors
Reciprocating compressors have pressure ranges up to 30,000
psi and range from very low HP to more than 20,000 HP per
unit.

Reciprocating compressors can be single stage or multistage,


depending upon the compression ratio required. The
compression ratio per stage for positive displacement
compressors is limited to 4.0 (because of the valve life and
discharge temperature).

Gas cylinders are generally lubricated, although a non-lubricated


design is available when warranted.

Typically, high-speed compressors operate at speeds of 900 to 4


Reciprocating Compressors

On multistage machines, intercoolers may be provided between


stages. These are heat exchangers which remove the heat of
compression from the gas and reduce its temperature to
approximately the intake compressor temperature.

5
II. Dynamic Type
Centrifugal Compressors
Centrifugal compressors develop the pressure required by the
centrifugal force due to rotation of the compressor wheel that
translates the kinetic energy into static pressure of the gas.

Centrifugal compressors can be used for outlet pressures as high


as 10,000 psia, and inlet capacity of more than 100000 cfm.

Centrifugal compressors are usually either turbine or electric


motor driven. Typical operating speeds for centrifugal
compressors in gas transmission applications are about 14,000
rpm for 5000-hp units and 8000 rpm for 20,000-hp units.

In gas pipeline applications a compression ratio of 1.5 to 2.0 is


usually used. 6
Centrifugal Compressors
A compressor body may hold one or several (up to 8 or 10)
stages. A compressor train may consist of one or multiple
compressor bodies. Pipeline compressors are typically single
body trains, with two or three stages.

7
Advantages of a Reciprocating Compressor

Ideal for low volume flow and high-pressure ratios

High efficiency at high-pressure ratios (about 4)

Relatively low capital cost in small units (less than 3000 hp)

Less sensitive to changes in composition and density

Have flexibility in pressure range, and can deliver compressed


gas at a wide range of pressures

8
Advantages of a Centrifugal Compressor

Ideal for high volume flow and low head

Simple construction with only one moving part

High efficiency over normal operating range

Low maintenance cost and high availability

Greater volume capacity per unit of plot area

No vibrations and pulsations generated


9
Gas Compression
Compressor Selection and Rating

A Gas engineer in the field is frequently required to determine


the desired specifications of a new compressor station or
selecting the operating point of an existing one. These
specifications are:

Type, number of stages, arrangements (parallel, series, inter and


after coolers), driver, speed, efficiency, power and/or capacity of
each stages or units, duty of coolers.

For determining the above specifications, these parameters are


required: Gas Composition(or specific gravity), inlet temperature
and pressure, total pressure ratio and total gas flow rate.
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