Engineering Encyclopedia: Reciprocating Compressors

Engineering Encyclopedia
Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards
Reciprocating Compressors
Note: The source of the technical material in this volume is the Professional
Engineering Development Program (PEDP) of Engineering Services.
Warning: The material contained in this document was developed for Saudi
Aramco and is intended for the exclusive use of Saudi Aramco’s
employees. Any material contained in this document which is not
already in the public domain may not be copied, reproduced, sold, given,
or disclosed to third parties, or otherwise used in whole, or in part,
without the written permission of the Vice President, Engineering
Services, Saudi Aramco.
Chapter : Process For additional information on this subject, contact

File Reference: CHE10204 R. A. Al-Husseini on 874-2792
Engineering Encyclopedia Process
CONTENTS PAGES
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION ................................................................................................................... 1

MECHANICAL COMPONENTS............................................................................................................... 2
LUBRICATION.......................................................................................................................................... 6
PERFORMANCE CALCULATIONS ........................................................................................................ 7
INTERCOOLERS ....................................................................................................................................... 9
VOLUMETRIC EFFICIENCY ................................................................................................................. 10
CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORS ....................................................... 13
Suction Valve Lifters............................................................................................................................ 13
Clearance Pockets.................................................................................................................................13
Clearance Pockets (Cont’d) .................................................................................................................. 14
Recycle ................................................................................................................................................. 15
Variable Speed...................................................................................................................................... 15
PROCESS PROBLEMS............................................................................................................................ 16
Liquid in Suction ..................................................................................................................................16
Vibration of Piping ............................................................................................................................... 16
Leakage of Valves and Piston Rings .................................................................................................... 18
Detecting Valve Leakage...................................................................................................................... 18
Mechanical Problems ........................................................................................................................... 18
WORK AID 1: RECIPROCATING COMPRESSOR - CALCULATION FORM .................................... 19
WORK AID 2: .......................................................................................................................................... 21
WORK AID 3: RECIPROCATING COMPRESSOR - VOLUMETRIC EFFICIENCY CALCULATION FORM
..................................................................................................................................................................22
GLOSSARY.............................................................................................................................................. 26
REFERENCES.......................................................................................................................................... 28

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
Figure 1 shows the principle of operation for a reciprocating compressor. It is very similar to a reciprocating
pump. A piston moves back and forth within a cylinder. Valves on the suction and discharge sides of the
cylinder open at the appropriate time to admit gas to the cylinder or to expel it through the discharge line. The
valves are spring loaded. The springs help to make sure that the valves seat positively at the proper time. The
valves open and close automatically as the gas pressures change.
Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards 1

MECHANICAL COMPONENTS
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional drawing of a reciprocating compressor showing the major mechanical components.
The cylinder is the chamber in which the piston moves back and forth. The spring-loaded valves are mounted
in the ends of the cylinder. Note that this cylinder is double-acting. Compression takes place on both the
forward stroke and the back stroke of the piston.
The piston is fitted with piston rings that provide a close fit between the piston and the cylinder.
The cylinder and cylinder heads contain cooling jackets. Cooling water circulates through these spaces.
The piston rod moves back and forth to drive the piston. The piston rod is the mechanical part that has the
most stress.
Packing seals the point where the piston rod enters the cylinder, to prevent loss of gas to the atmosphere.

MECHANICAL COMPONENTS (CONT’D)
PASTE VG #2
FIGURE 1. RECIPROCATING COMPRESSOR - PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

MECHANICAL COMPONENTS (CONT’D)
PASTE VG #3
FIGURE 2. RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORS - COMPONENTS AND FUNCTIONS

MECHANICAL COMPONENTS (CONT'D)
The connecting rod transmits motion from the crankshaft to the piston rod, through the crosshead. The
connecting rod converts rotary motion to reciprocating motion.
The crosshead absorbs the nonaxial forces from the connecting rod and transmits only axial forces to the piston
rod.
The crankshaft is driven by a mechanical engine, which may be an electric motor, steam turbine, or a gas
turbine. It may also be driven by a gas engine with reciprocating pistons. In this case, a single crankshaft is
connected to the pistons of both the engine and the compressor.
A single driver and crankshaft may be attached to several cylinders. The cylinders may be successive stages of
the same process gas service or they may be separate services.

LUBRICATION
Compressor cylinders may be lubricated or nonlubricated. In the lubricated type, oil is injected:
• Between the piston and cylinder
• Between the piston rod and packing
Lubrication reduces power requirements and temperature, which decreases the amount of maintenance required.
However, some of the lubricating oil is always entrained in the gas stream. Oil separators at the discharge can
remove most of this oil, but not all of it.
Nonlubricated cylinders may be used in services where oil contamination of the gas is undesirable. In this case,
the piston rings and packing are made of low-friction materials such as Teflon, and piston maximum speeds are
less than lubricated applications (approximately 75%). Examples of services where nonlubricated compressors
may be used are:
• Instrument air, because oil in instrument air supplies can clog instruments.
• Oxygen, because mixtures of oil and oxygen are explosive.
• Refrigeration, because oil in refrigerant can freeze in low-temperature sections of the process.

PERFORMANCE CALCULATIONS
The manufacturer's performance predictions should always be used as a first choice. If they are not available,
you can use the equations in the following sections to make reasonable approximations. The equations for
calculating gas horsepower and brake horsepower (which are the same for any compressor -- positive
displacement or centrifugal) are as follows:
Gas horsepower (ghp) = Head x flow rate (lb/min) Eqn. (1)

Isentropic Eff. x 33,000
Brake horsepower = Gas horsepower Eqn. (2)

Mechanical efficiency
Typical isentropic and mechanical efficiencies for reciprocating compressors are given in Work Aid 1 or Figure
9.
The isentropic formula for head is used. In this form, the gas constant k is used directly rather than the
exponent n, which is used in polytropic compression.
 k−1 
Z1RT1 k − 1
Head = (k − 1)  (r)
MW
k  
Eqn. (3)
P2
r =
P1
where:
Z1 = Compressibility factor, suction.
R = Gas constant = 1545 ft-lb
lb mol-°F
T1 = Suction temperature, °R
MW = Molecular weight
k = Cp/Cv, average of suction and discharge. (Determine k from GPSA Figure 13-8 or
13-6 and 13-7)
r = Compression ratio
P1 = Suction pressure, psia
P2 = Discharge pressure, psia

PERFORMANCE CALCULATIONS (CONT'D)
The isentropic formula for head is used because reciprocating compression follows a path that is very close to a
true isentropic path. There are two reasons for this:
• The efficiency of compression is very high, approximately 90%. Therefore, the excess heat
resulting from inefficiency is small.
• The jackets surrounding the cylinder are cooled with cooling water. This provides some cooling
for the gas during the compression stroke. This cooling offsets the heat gain from inefficiency.
The net effect is a temperature rise that is almost the same as in isentropic compression.
The equation for discharge temperature is also of the isentropic form.
k−1
P  k
T 2 = T1 2
 P 
1 Eqn. (4)
This equation gives the correct discharge temperature for most situations. However, in some cases, the
efficiency of a reciprocating compressor can be somewhat lower, and the discharge temperature will be higher
than predicted by this equation. The conditions that might cause lower efficiency are:
• Very low low-compression ratios, below 2 to 1.
• High-speed machines, which have proportionately higher valve losses.

INTERCOOLERS
An intercooler reduces the gas temperature between stages of compression. For most reciprocating
compressors, allowable discharge temperatures are limited to approximately 350°F. Above this temperature,
degradation of lube oil can occur. In nonlubricated compressors, damage to the piston rings and packing can
occur. The discharge temperature restriction places limits on the compression ratio that may be used; if higher
compression ratios are required, two or more stages of compression are used.
Figure 3 illustrates a common intercooler application, a utility air compressor. Utility air is typically
compressed to about 100 psig. This requires a compression ratio of 8. Without intercooling, the discharge
temperature would be 550°F.
FIGURE 3. INTERCOOLERS
When the air is cooled after the first compression stage, liquid water condenses from the gas and must be
removed in a knockout drum.
NOTE: When you calculate head and power for two-stage or multistage compressors, calculate each stage
separately. Remember that the intercooler and its piping will take some pressure drop.

VOLUMETRIC EFFICIENCY
Figure 4 illustrates of the action of the suction and discharge valves during one complete cycle of a
reciprocating compressor.
The volumetric efficiency of an operating compressor is calculated to determine whether the valves and the
piston are operating properly. And actual volumetric efficiency significantly less than the theoretical value
indicates that the valves or the piston rings are leaking and that maintenance is required.
The method is as follows:
(1) Calculate the actual volumetric efficiency from plant data. Divide the suction flow rate by the
displacement volume. The displacement volume is obtained from Eqn. (5), (6), or (7).
Single acting: D = A x m x Ls x n Eqn. (5)

1728
Double acting D = (2A-a) m x Ls x n Eqn. (6)

(without tail rod): 1728
Double acting
(with tail rod): D = 2(A-a) m x Ls x n Eqn. (7)
1728
where:
D = Displacement, ACFM (actual cubic feet/minute)

A = Cross-sectional area of cylinder, sq. in.
a = Cross-sectional area of piston rod, sq. in.
m = Number of cylinders
Ls = Length of stroke, in.
n = Speed, strokes/minute, or rpm of crankshaft.

1
0
VOLUMETRIC EFFICIENCY (CONT’D)
FIGURE 4. ACTION OF SUCTION AND DISCHARGE VALVES
A tail rod is an extra piston rod included in some compressors, on the side opposite the main piston rod. It
helps to stabilize piston motion, and to reduce peak stress on the piston rod.
(2) Obtain the theoretical value for volumetric efficiency from Eqn. (8). If the operating conditions are those
originally specified, the theoretical volumetric efficiency may be available from the vendor
specifications.

1
1
VOLUMETRIC EFFICIENCY (CONT’D)
Volumetric efficiency is the volume flow rate of suction gas divided by the displacement. For a reciprocating
compressor, the theoretical volumetric efficiency is considerably less than 100% because of clearance.
Clearance is that portion of the cylinder not swept by the piston. Clearance includes volume at the end of the
cylinder and underneath the valve chambers. At the end of a discharge stroke, the clearance volume is filled
with gas at discharge pressure. During the subsequent suction stroke, this gas begins to expand. The suction
valve does not open until the gas in the clearance volume expands from discharge pressure to suction pressure.
After that point, gas is admitted to the cylinder until the end of the suction stroke. However, gas is admitted
during only 70 to 80% of the total suction stroke. The amount of lost suction volume depends on the
compression ratio, the properties of the gas, and the amount of clearance volume.
The equation for calculating theoretical volumetric efficiency is as follows:
 1 
Zs k
VE = 1.00 − L − C  r − 1
Zd
  Eqn. (8)
where:
C = Clearance volume
Displacement volume, decimal fraction
Zs = Compressibility factor, suction
Zd = Compressibility factor, discharge
L = Loss factor, for losses resulting from backflow through valves and around the piston.
See Work Aid 2 or Figure 10.

1
2
CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORS
Suction Valve Lifters
Suction valve lifters are one technique for controlling volume flow. If the suction valve is held open
continuously, gas will pass back and forth through the suction valve without passing through to the discharge
line. This technique is used commonly to reduce the starting torque of the machine and for capacity control.
However, it has three drawbacks:
• Capacity control is limited to 0 or 100% for each cylinder end.
• Valves may overheat because the same gas is continuously passing back and forth across them.
• Forces on the crankshaft become unbalanced.
Clearance Pockets
Clearance pockets are another way to control compressor capacity. A clearance pocket is a small volume just
outside the cylinder. If this volume is open to the cylinder, it increases the clearance because this volume will
not be swept by the piston. The increased clearance reduces throughput. Saudi Aramco Design Practice ADP-
K-403 permits the use of clearance pockets with fixed volume but not variable volume. There may be one
clearance pocket per cylinder or as many as four. Finally, clearance pockets may be controlled manually or
automatically by a flow controller. See Figure 5.

1
3
Clearance Pockets (Cont’d)
VG #23 (Missing Graphic)
FIGURE 5. CLEARANCE POCKETS

1
4
Recycle
The third method for controlling reciprocating compressors is to recycle some of the discharge gas back to the
suction. See Figure 6. This is the least efficient control method because the compressor is always operating at
full capacity and consuming full power. However, it is often the most reliable method from a mechanical point
of view, because valve lifters and clearance pockets can be causes of frequent maintenance. They tend to result
in unbalanced loads on the mechanical components. With gases containing dirty or fouling components, the
mechanisms that operate lifters and pockets can become fouled.
If recycled gas is employed, it is important to have a cooler in the loop, so that the same gas is not recycled
continuously to the compressor without cooling.
FIGURE 6. RECYCLE CONTROL
Variable Speed
Variable speed is sometimes used for capacity control, but not often. Saudi Aramco ADP-K-403 discourages
the use of variable speed control.
Suction throttling, which is common for centrifugal compressors, is not used for reciprocating machines
because it increases piston rod loads.

1
5
PROCESS PROBLEMS
Liquid in Suction
Reciprocating compressors cannot tolerate liquid in the suction gas. The process must be carefully designed to
prevent this condition. Small amounts of liquid continually entering the cylinders will damage the valves.
Liquid will also wash lubricant away from cylinder walls, increasing wear. Large slugs of liquid can cause
serious damage. Pistons or piston rods can break. In extreme cases, the cylinder head will blow off the
compressor, and a fire will result.
To prevent liquid formation in suction lines (Figure 7 and 8):

• Locate the suction knockout drum close to the compressor.
• Avoid low points in the line between the drum and the compressor.
• Steam trace the suction line from the drum to the compressor to prevent condensation. Steam
tracing is a small pipe carrying steam, located outside the gas pipe, under the insulation.
• Control colling water temperature to avoid condensation within the cylinders.
Vibration of Piping
Vibration of the suction or discharge piping sympathetically with the movement of the pistons can also be a
problem. Two solutions are possible:
• Larger pulsation bottles can be used. Every reciprocating compressor has large, cylindrical pieces
of piping called pulsation bottles or pulsation dampeners, at the suction and the discharge. They
smooth out the pulsations of the flow.
• The vibration may be due to a resonance between the piping and the compressors. In this case, the
piping configuration can be changed or orifices added in order to change the natural frequency of
the piping system. Such action requires a pulsation analysis to be performed to predict the action
required.

1
6
PROCESS PROBLEMS (CONT’D)
Good:
FIGURE 7. RECIPROCATING COMPRESSOR PIPING
Bad:
FIGURE 8. RECIPROCATING COMPRESSOR PIPING

1
7
Leakage of Valves and Piston Rings
The most common cause of low volumetric efficiency is leakage or back flow in the valves. Leaking piston
rings are another cause.
Valves and rings are normally replaced during scheduled maintenance periods. Six months is a typical interval
between planned maintenance operations. Significant wear and leakage can occur in less than six months. The
most common cause of rapid wear is the presence of liquid and/or solids in the gas.
Detecting Valve Leakage
A leaking suction valve is usually hotter than normal. This is caused by the back flow of hot gas through the
valve during the discharge stroke. Discharge valves are always hot. So this means of detection cannot be used.
On two-stage compressors, the interstage pressure is a good indication of valve leakage. If the interstage
pressure is higher than normal, a valve or piston ring in the second stage is leaking. If the interstage pressure is
lower than normal, a valve or piston ring in the first stage is leaking.
Mechanical Problems
For a checklist of mechanical troubles, see GPSA Engineering Data Book, Figure 13 - 27.

1
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WORK AID 1: RECIPROCATING COMPRESSOR - CALCULATION FORM
(Page 1 of 2)
Gas
MW
Suction Flow Rate: SCFM, lb/min, ACFM
P1 psia
P2 psia
r = P2/P1 = =
T1 °F, °R
Isentropic Efficiency:
(From Manufacturer Spec

or from Work Aid 2)
lst Trial 2nd Trial 3rd Trial
T2, °F/°R assumed / / /
T1 + T2
T avg , ° F
2
k at Tavg.
(GPSA Figure 13-8 or 13-6)
(k-1)/k
T2 = T1(r)(k-1)/k °R
T2, °F calculated

1
9
WORK AID 1: RECIPROCATING COMPRESSOR - CALCULATION FORM (CONT’D)
(Page 2 of 2)
Z1 (GPSA 23-3)
Isentropic Head:
 k−1 
Z1(1545)T1 k − 1
His =
(k − 1)  (r)
MW
k  
His =
(
(
)(1545)(
)( )
)
[( )( )
]
−1
His = feet
Gas Horsepower:
lb
His x
ghp = min
Is. Eff. x 33, 000
( ) x ( )
ghp =
( ) x 33,000
ghp =
Mechanical Efficiency (Work Aid 2)
Brake Horsepower = ghp

Mech. Eff.
= ( )
( )

2
0
WORK AID 2:
Typical Isentropic Efficiency

100
90
80
70
1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0
Stage Pressure Ratio
Typical Mechanical Efficiency

100
90
80
0 to 75 100 125 150 175 200 and up
Horsepower per Cylinder
W H
BHP = 33,000 isη
is
ηm
FIGURE 9. TYPICAL ISENTROPIC EFFICIENCY OF RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORS

2
1
WORK AID 3: RECIPROCATING COMPRESSOR - VOLUMETRIC EFFICIENCY

CALCULATION FORM
(Page 1 of 3)
EXPECTED VOLUMETRIC EFFICIENCY:
P1 Suction pressure, psia
P2 Discharge pressure, psia
P2 ( )
r = __ = ________ =
P1 ( )
k, average
Zs Z at suction
Zd Z at discharge
Clearance volume
C ___________________ =
Displacement volume
L Loss correction factor = (Work Aid 4)
 Zs 1k 
1.00 − L − C (r) − 1
 Z d 
VE =
( ) (
1
)

1.00 − ( ) − ( ) ( ) − 1
= ( ) 

2
2

CALCULATION FORM (CONT’D)
(Page 2 of 3)
ACTUAL VOLUMETRIC EFFICIENCY

Actual Suction Flow Rate:
Compressor Suction Flow: SCFM lb/min
MW
Zs
T1 Temp. °F, °R
P1 Press. psig psia
lb 379 379
x =( )x =
Suction SCFM = min MW ( )
14.7 T1
x s x Zs
P1 520
Suction ACFM = SCFM
14.7 ( )
x x( )
)x (
=(
) 520
= ACFM
Displacement:
A, Cross-sectional area of cylinder sq. in.

a, Cross-sectional area of piston rod sq. in.
m, Number of cylinders
Ls, Length of stroke in.
n, strokes/minute (rpm)

2
3

CALCULATION FORM (CONT’D)
(Page 3 of 3)
Single Acting:
A x n x Ls x n
D = ______________
1728
( )( )( )( )
D = _____________________ = ACFM
1728
Double Acting without tail rod

(2A-a) m x Ls x n
D = __________________
1728
[2( )-( )]( )( )( )

D = __________________________ = ACFM
1728
Double Acting with Tail Rod

2(A-a) m x Ls x n
D = __________________
1728
2[( )-( )]( )( )( )

D = __________________________ = ACFM
1728
Volumetric Efficiency:
Suction ACFM
VE = ____________
D
( )
= ____________
( )

2
4
Lines of Constant Inlet Pressure, psia

WORK AID 4:
0.15
1000
800
0.13 600
400
0.11 200
100
50
0.09
15
and
0.07 lower
0.05
0.03
1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0
Compression Ratio r
Source: Natural Gas Processors Suppliers Association Engineering Data Book, 1966
FIGURE 10. LOSS CORRECTION FOR RECIPROCATING COMPRESSOR VOLUMETRIC

EFFICIENCY CALCULATION

2
5
GLOSSARY
Clearance A volume in a cylinder that is not swept by the piston.
Clearance Pocket A chamber attached to a cylinder that may be open to the cylinder or closed
off. It is used to control capacity of a reciprocating compressor.
Connecting Rod The rod that connects the camshaft to the crosshead. It changes circular
motion to reciprocating motion.
Crankcase The housing for the crankshaft.
Crankshaft The rotating element that transmits power from the driver to the connecting
rods.
Crosshead The mechanical element between the connecting rod and the piston rod. It
absorbs the nonaxial forces from the connecting rod and transmits only axial
forces to the piston rod.
Cylinder The principal component of a reciprocating compressor. It contains the

piston, suction and discharge valves, and packing around the piston rod.
Displacement The volume of the space swept by the piston(s). The theoretically maximum
capacity of a reciprocating compressor.
Double Acting Cylinder A cylinder with compression chambers on both sides of the piston.
Intercooler A gas cooler located between compressor stages.
Interstage Pressure On a two-stage or multistage compressor, the pressure existing between

stages.
Isentropic Efficiency The ideal work for a compression service divided by the actual work applied
to the gas. The extra, nonideal work is converted to heat that raises the gas
temperature or is removed by jacket cooling.
Jacket A chamber that surrounds the cylinder. Cooling water circulates through the
jacket.
Mechanical Efficiency The work applied to the gas divided by the driver brake horsepower. The
difference, or loss, is due to mechanical friction.

2
6
Packing A flexible material that seals the space between the moving piston rod and
the cylinder.
Piston The component that moves back and forth in the cylinder. It compresses the
gas.
Piston Ring A ring surrounding the piston providing a close fit with the cylinder. It
minimizes gas leakage past the piston.
Piston Rod A rod that transmits force to move the piston.
Pulsation Bottle or A large chamber made of piping components immediately upstream

Dampener or downstream of a cylinder. It smooths out the pulsations caused by the
piston.
Single Acting Cylinder A cylinder with a compression chamber on only one side of the piston.
Tail Rod An extra piston rod in some compressors on the side opposite the main
piston rod. It helps to stabilize piston motion and reduces peak stress on the
piston rod.
Valve Lifter A device that holds a valve open, normally used on suction valves. When a
valve is held open, gas does not flow through the cylinder. Used to reduce
motor torque during starting. Also used for compressor capacity control.
However, open period is usually automatically controlled to avoid
overheating and/or lubricant accumulation in the cylinder.
Volumetric Efficiency The actual volume of suction gas compressed, divided by the theoretical
displacement.

2
7
REFERENCES
Supplementary Text
• Gas Processors Suppliers Association

Engineering Data Book, Section 13
Industry Standard
• API 618 Reciprocating Compressors for General Refinery Service
Saudi Aramco Standards
• AES-K-403 Reciprocating Compressors
• ADP-K-403 Reciprocating Compressors

2
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Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Chapter : Process For additional information on this subject, contact

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION ................................................................................................................... 1

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards 1

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards 2

MECHANICAL COMPONENTS (CONT’D)

FIGURE 1. RECIPROCATING COMPRESSOR - PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards 3

MECHANICAL COMPONENTS (CONT’D)

FIGURE 2. RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORS - COMPONENTS AND FUNCTIONS

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards 4

MECHANICAL COMPONENTS (CONT'D)

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards 5

• Oxygen, because mixtures of oil and oxygen are explosive.

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards 6

Gas horsepower (ghp) = Head x flow rate (lb/min) Eqn. (1)

Brake horsepower = Gas horsepower Eqn. (2)

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards 7

PERFORMANCE CALCULATIONS (CONT'D)

The equation for discharge temperature is also of the isentropic form.

• Very low low-compression ratios, below 2 to 1.

• High-speed machines, which have proportionately higher valve losses.

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards 8

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards 9

The method is as follows:

Single acting: D = A x m x Ls x n Eqn. (5)

Double acting D = (2A-a) m x Ls x n Eqn. (6)

D = Displacement, ACFM (actual cubic feet/minute)

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

VOLUMETRIC EFFICIENCY (CONT’D)

FIGURE 4. ACTION OF SUCTION AND DISCHARGE VALVES

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

VOLUMETRIC EFFICIENCY (CONT’D)

The equation for calculating theoretical volumetric efficiency is as follows:

Zs = Compressibility factor, suction

Zd = Compressibility factor, discharge

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORS

Suction Valve Lifters

• Capacity control is limited to 0 or 100% for each cylinder end.

• Forces on the crankshaft become unbalanced.

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Clearance Pockets (Cont’d)

VG #23 (Missing Graphic)

FIGURE 5. CLEARANCE POCKETS

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

FIGURE 6. RECYCLE CONTROL

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

To prevent liquid formation in suction lines (Figure 7 and 8):

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

PROCESS PROBLEMS (CONT’D)

FIGURE 7. RECIPROCATING COMPRESSOR PIPING

FIGURE 8. RECIPROCATING COMPRESSOR PIPING

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Leakage of Valves and Piston Rings

Detecting Valve Leakage

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

WORK AID 1: RECIPROCATING COMPRESSOR - CALCULATION FORM

Suction Flow Rate: SCFM, lb/min, ACFM

(From Manufacturer Spec

lst Trial 2nd Trial 3rd Trial