GP 03-03-03 Flushing and Drain Piping for Centrifugal and Rotary Gas Compressors January 2008

Flushing and Drain Piping for

Centrifugal and Rotary Gas
Compressors
GP 03-03-03

Scope
[I] This Global Practice (GP) covers the design and installation of flushing and drain systems for
centrifugal gas compressors and drain systems for rotary gas compressors.

Refining/Chemicals, Downstream
For Company Use Only Version 2.0.0
Imperial Oil

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Copyright Waiver
ExxonMobil Development Company and ExxonMobil Pipeline Company hereby license the use of ExxonMobil Engineering Practices System (EMEPS) Global Practices (GPs) for
use by any ExxonMobil division, subsidiary, or more-than-50%-owned affiliate. The GPs may be downloaded and modified as necessary for project and affiliate use. Written
permission from ExxonMobil Development Company or ExxonMobil Pipeline Company is not required. However, any modified GPs must be renumbered to a project-specific or
affiliate-specific number to distinguish them from the GPs on the EMEPS web site. ExxonMobil operated joint ventures may utilize GPs to create project-specific or location-specific
specifications. It is the responsibility of individual affiliate or joint venture to ensure that the use of GPs and their derivatives is limited to joint venture related business and not
disclosed or used outside the JV without appropriate EM management approval.
 GP 03-03-03 Flushing and Drain Piping for Centrifugal and Rotary Gas Compressors January 2008

Table of Contents

Table of Figures ..............................................................................................................3

1. Required References..............................................................................................4

2. Definitions ...............................................................................................................4

3. Flushing System .....................................................................................................4

3.1. General ..........................................................................................................4
3.2. Strainer ..........................................................................................................5
3.3. Nozzles ..........................................................................................................5
3.4. Alternative Nozzle Designs ............................................................................6
3.5. Variable Area Meters .....................................................................................6
4. Drain Systems.........................................................................................................7
4.1. Casing Drain Lines.........................................................................................7
4.2. Drainage and Disposal Piping........................................................................8
4.3. Casing Pressures...........................................................................................8
5. Drains and Collecting Drum ..................................................................................8
5.1. Drains.............................................................................................................8
5.2. Collecting Drum .............................................................................................9
Record of Change .........................................................................................................10

Attachment: Purpose Code Definitions .....................................................................11

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 GP 03-03-03 Flushing and Drain Piping for Centrifugal and Rotary Gas Compressors January 2008

Table of Figures

Figure 1: Schematic Arrangement ...............................................................................5

Figure 2: Centrifugal Compressor Suction Spray Nozzle Assembly........................6

Figure 3: Drain System for Dry Gas Seal Cavities ......................................................7

Figure 4: Disposal without Collecting Drum ...............................................................8

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 GP 03-03-03 Flushing and Drain Piping for Centrifugal and Rotary Gas Compressors January 2008

1. Required References
Not applicable.

2. Definitions
Term [I] Description

Safe Location A safe location indicates that no source of ignition exists, such as a
closed blowdown system or a slop tank.

3. Flushing System
3.1. General
1) Flushing fluid facilities shall be sized for a maximum flow rate of 3 percent (by weight) of the gas
flow per casing.
2) [*] If stage flushing (to individual impellers) is specified, 60 percent of the total flow rate for the
casing shall be sent to the machine suction pipe, and the remaining 40 percent shall be distributed
equally among the stage flushing points.
3) [S] [*] Unless otherwise specified, flushing system components shall be suitable for exposure to the
maximum allowable working pressures of the connected compressors.
4) [I] A typical piping layout is shown in Figure 1.

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 GP 03-03-03 Flushing and Drain Piping for Centrifugal and Rotary Gas Compressors January 2008

Figure 1: Schematic Arrangement

Stage Flushing
For Other Casings
HCV
xxx
Fxxx
1
HCV
xxx
Fxxx
1
Low Pressure Stage Individual Stage
Spray Nozzle
High Pressure Stage

(1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1)

See
Fig. 2
(1)
(1) (1) See Fig. 2

(1) (1)
Pxxx HCV Pxxx STR
1 xxx 1 xxx
Fxxx
1
Pxxx
dl

Collecting Drum To Disposal

HCV
xxx
Fxxx
NOTE: 1
(1) Valves shall be accessible.

3.2. Strainer
[R] A flushing fluid strainer of 80 mesh (178 mm) Monel screen shall be provided. All flushing piping
downstream of the flushing fluid strainer shall be chemically or mechanically cleaned to remove scale,
slag, and debris.

3.3. Nozzles
[O] [R] Suction nozzle spray. One atomizing spray nozzle assembly shall be installed in the pipe elbow
directly upstream of the compressor suction nozzle. A typical arrangement is shown in Figure 2.

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 GP 03-03-03 Flushing and Drain Piping for Centrifugal and Rotary Gas Compressors January 2008

Figure 2: Centrifugal Compressor Suction Spray Nozzle Assembly

Fixed Arrangement

Gas Flow

HCV

Retractable Arrangement

Guide Ring
Packing

Installation shall:
(1) Allow removal of the nozzle for cleaning without compressor shutdown.
(2) Ensure that the flushing liquid spray is directed counter to the gas flow.
(3) Avoid impingement of the spray on the inner wall of the valve and stub. Nozzles shall be tackwelded or suitably locked to
prevent loosening while in service.

3.4. Alternative Nozzle Designs

[A] [C] Alternative suction spray nozzle assembly designs that will result in the use of smaller gas shutoff
valves and stubs shall be submitted to Owner's Engineer for approval. Such designs may include the
following:
1) The use of the gas being compressed to confine the atomization spray angle
2) An adjustable, packed joint design similar to the arrangement shown in Figure 2

3.5. Variable Area Meters

1) [O] [R] Variable area meters shall be armored type and shall be graduated for the specific flushing
fluid to be used. They shall be sized for design flow at maximum scale reading. A correction factor
for density shall be furnished.
2) [O] Variable area meters and hand control valves shall be adjacent to each other and shall be operable
from the compressor operating floor.

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 GP 03-03-03 Flushing and Drain Piping for Centrifugal and Rotary Gas Compressors January 2008

4. Drain Systems
1) [O] [R] All centrifugal and rotary gas compressors shall have low point drains for each casing,
suction line, discharge line, and any interstage lines.
2) [O] [R] For centrifugal and rotary gas compressors with dry gas seals, each dry gas seal cavity shall
have a valved drain and drainage piping per the layout shown in Figure 3.
3) [S] [A] Unless otherwise specified, case and dry gas seal drain system components shall be suitable
for exposure to the maximum allowable working pressures of the connected compressors.

Figure 3: Drain System for Dry Gas Seal Cavities

4.1. Casing Drain Lines

[O] [R] Casing drain lines shall be provided for the following:
1) Each stage drain on centrifugal compressors
2) Each drain connection provided on rotary compressors

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 GP 03-03-03 Flushing and Drain Piping for Centrifugal and Rotary Gas Compressors January 2008

4.2. Drainage and Disposal Piping

[O] [R] Drainage and disposal piping shall provide the following:
1) Liquid removal during shutdowns and immediately prior to start-ups
2) A means to test for liquid (bleed)
3) A safe means of liquid disposal (i.e., a closed pipe system to a safe location)
4) Protection against blowback into the casing (check valve)

4.3. Casing Pressures

1) [O] A collecting drum shall be provided where the casing pressures, with the compressor idle, are not
sufficient to force the drained liquid into the disposal system. A typical arrangement is shown in
Figure 1.
2) Where casing pressures are sufficient to force the drained liquid into the disposal system, the piping
may be arranged per Figure 4.

Figure 4: Disposal without Collecting Drum

Casing

Drain from
Drain from
Discharge Line Suction Line

Disposal Header

5. Drains and Collecting Drum

5.1. Drains
1) [O] The suction line drain connection shall be located between the suction elbow and any gate or
control valve in the line. The drain line shall be sloped for gravity flow.
2) [R] Each casing drain line size shall not be less than that of the drain opening in the casing. Drain
valves shall be located close to the casing and shall be accessible.
3) Casing drain lines may be routed over the compressor baseplate if a continuous slope can be
provided.
4) The discharge line drain shall also be used to pressure liquid out of the collecting drum if a collecting
drum is required.

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 GP 03-03-03 Flushing and Drain Piping for Centrifugal and Rotary Gas Compressors January 2008

5.2. Collecting Drum

1) [O] The collecting drum shall be located at a lower level than the compressor suction line. If the
suction line is at or near grade, the collecting drum may have to be installed below grade with the
nozzles extending above grade. The gauge glass shall be eliminated, and an internal float level
indication and high level alarm shall be provided.
2) The collecting drum shall be 8 in. (200 mm) minimum diameter to provide for level indication. The
exact diameter and length for each installation shall be determined after review of the system size and
expected volume of liquid blowdown.

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GP 03-03-03 Flushing and Drain Piping for Centrifugal and Rotary Gas Compressors January 2008

Record of Change
Version 1.0.0 Date: 07/01
Location Action Description
Initial Publish.

Version 1.0.0 Date: 09/03

Global Practice version number and format updated to comply with new
process; however, original publish date remains, and no content was
modified.

Version 2.0.0 Date: 01/08

Section 1 Addition Added reference section placeholder for standardized format.
Section 4, Addition Added a requirement for valved drains and drain piping for each cavity
Item (2) of a dry gas seal as Item (2).
Added Figure 3 as illustration for Item (2).
Section 4, Modification Added wording to clarify that requirement applies to both case and dry
Item (3) gas seal drain system components.
All Global Modifications To standardize the format of the Global Practices and to meet other
Practices requirements, the following changes have been implemented:
"For ExxonMobil Use Only" has been replaced with "For Company Use
Only."
A copyright waiver has been added in the first page Footer.
The definition of asterisks in the Scope has been deleted. The asterisk is
now defined in the Purpose Code attachment and is used within brackets
as other Purpose Codes.
Multiple paragraphs within a Section have been numbered.
The standard text for Required References has been modified.
The standard text for Additional Requirements has been modified.
The [S] Purpose Code has been modified.
The following Purpose Codes have been added:
[*] for additional information or decision required of Owner's
Engineer.
[A] for approval requirements before beginning work or finalizing
design.

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GP 03-03-03 Flushing and Drain Piping for Centrifugal and Rotary Gas Compressors January 2008

Attachment: Purpose Code Definitions

Code Description
* Assigned to paragraphs that require the Owner's Engineer to provide additional information or
make a decision.
A Assigned to paragraphs that require approval from the Owner's Engineer before the work may
proceed or the design is finalized.
C Assigned to paragraphs whose primary purpose is reduced costs. Reduced cost in this context
refers to initial investment cost and does not include life cycle cost considerations. Life cycle
cost considerations are captured under reliability, maintainability, or operability purpose codes.
E Assigned to paragraphs whose primary purpose is driven by environmental considerations.
Environmental considerations typically include specifications intended to protect against
emissions/leakage to the air, water, and/or soil. Deviations from the specifications contained
in such paragraphs require formal review and approval according to local environmental
policy.
I Assigned to paragraphs that provide only clarifying information, such as Scope statements,
definitions of terms, etc.
M Assigned to paragraphs whose primary purpose is to provide for maintainability of equipment
or systems. Maintainability provisions are those that facilitate the performance of maintenance
on equipment/systems either during downtimes or during onstream operations.
O Assigned to paragraphs whose primary purpose is to assure operability of equipment or
systems. Operability is the ability of the equipment/system to perform satisfactorily even
though conditions are off-design, such as during start-ups, process swings, subcomponent
malfunction, etc.
R Assigned to paragraphs whose primary purpose is to improve or assure the reliability of
equipment or systems. Reliability is a measure of the ability of equipment/systems to operate
without malfunction or failure between planned maintenance interventions.
S Assigned to paragraphs containing specifications/guidance where the primary purpose is the
avoidance of incidents impacting personnel safety, operational safety, and the public in general
and/or involving responses to emergency situations. Any deviation from the specifications
contained in such designated paragraphs requires formal review and approval according to
local safety policy.
Personnel Safety: Refers to incident-related personnel injuries or illness, e.g., burns, cuts,
abrasions, inhalation of or exposure to dangerous substances, etc., that
could result in medical treatment, restricted work, lost-time incidents, or
fatalities.
Operational Refers to the prevention and control of process releases, fires, and/or
Safety: explosions that could result in damage to equipment, process disruption,
or personnel injury or illness.

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