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Understanding Centrifugal Compressor Equipment Interaction
Understanding Centrifugal Compressor Equipment Interaction
Many compressor operators often find difficulty in comprehending compressor behavior with respect to system
changes, particularly when coupled with other operational changes. An example is how to predict possible flow
increase when there is still some room for a speed increase. Where will the new operating point be if a change
is made — will it shift along the constant pressure line to the right, along the system curve or along the
compressor curve itself? How are power consumption and efficiency predicted in such cases? For the benefit of
operators, compressor behavior with respect to the connected systems and related problems are presented for
common operating scenarios.
Fig. 1 shows a typical arrangement of a compressor operating in a process system. The compressor is taking
suction from a source, point A at pressure P1, and discharging at pressure P2 at point B into a process system
consisting of pipelines, valves and equipment. The gas is transported through this system to be delivered to
point C at pressure P3. The line pressure drop, (P2– P3), is usually denoted as P (delta P) of the system.
Fig. 4b. Inlet flow is never allowed to fall below the surge
control point.
In this case both the ASV and pressure control valves mounted on the compressor discharge line take action
simultaneously, i.e., the former opens and the latter closes.
Scenario 1.3: Gas demand decreases at the consumer end. In most of these cases, the online valve at the
consumer end is throttled, either manually or through the process control system, to achieve the desired flow
reduction. For example, in case of gas supply to a boiler, heater or gas turbine, the control valve at the inlet of
the equipment is throttled matching the equipment load. The valve may even close if the equipment trips. This
event in effect changes the system curve, shifting the operating point to the left until the desired lower flow is
achieved (similar to scenarios 1.1 and 1.2). The control valve on the compressor outlet line will, however, open
instead of closing, in contrast with scenarios 1.1 and 1.2. The reverse phenomenon follows when gas demand
increases. The same control sequence would also follow when gas is to be delivered to a consumer at a
constant pressure.
In summary, for all single-speed compressors, variation in flow is achieved only by varying the system curve
position backward and forward. The operating point shifts along the compressor curve, as shown in Figs. 4a to
c.
Fig. 6b. The operating point starts to shift down along the
system curve.
system curve.
It should be noted that under certain circumstances like this, the ASV might open even when the discharge flow
is higher than the surge flow at the minimum speed. However, this sequence of control takes place only if the
speed controller and the driver are fast enough to respond and rectify the changing condition. If the flow change
is very rapid, the fast-acting antisurge control system acts through the ASV ahead of the speed controller to
save the compressor from surging.
Scenario 2.3: Gas demand decreases at the consumer end. As in the case of a single-speed compressor, the
system curve also moves to the left due to throttling of the consumer valve(s) to achieve flow reduction. The
suction pressure controller now starts sending a signal for the driver to slow down. The operating point moves
horizontally from point a to be along the fixed-pressure line until it meets the compressor curve at a speed that
corresponds to the reduced flowrate (Fig. 6c). If the flow increases the reverse phenomenon takes place.