STARTING PROCEDURE OF CARGO COMPRESSOR RELIQUIFICATION

SIDE

1 Before starting a compressor:

1.1 Let the glycol pump run for about 2 hours, circulating warm glycol through the
compressor. The compressor should not be started until its temperature has reached
35°C.
1.2 Check that sufficient generator capacity is available.
1.3 Check oil level of the compressor crankcase
1.4 Turn the flywheel of the compressor several turns by hand in the running direction
and remove turning bar from flywheel.
1.5 According to circumstances and the chosen way of operation (see flow sheets for
obtaining valves to be open or closed according to way of operation):
1.5.1 Drain liquid knock-out drum.
1.5.1 Open compressor suction stop valve partially.
1.5.2 Open compressor discharge stop valve.
1.6 Check glycol circulation in Glycol Cooler and sea water circulation in Cargo
Condenser. Check refrigerant circulation in Ethane Condenser if applicable.
2 Start the compressor:
2.1 It should preferably be started on 50% load. If the compressor does not start, check
with the alarm panel and wait about 30 sec. and push the start button again. The lube
oil pressure (i.e. pressure difference between the two pressure gauges fitted to the
Cargo Compressor Lube Oil Pump) must rise immediately to about 3.5 bar.
2.2 Suction pressure to be throttled during the starting procedure to a low positive
pressure, to avoid condensation within piping and compressor.
3 Before leaving the deck house:
3.1 Check that all pneumatic valves are working properly and check that the cargo
receiver is not filling up due to ice in the control valves
3.2 Check good establishing of level in receiver (set point approx. 300 mm) and in
intercooler (set point approx. 800 mm) if applicable.
3.3 Check the lube oil pressure, normal 3.2–4.0 bar.
3.4 Check the gas pressure at suction and discharge sides of the compressor stage(s).
Due to the pressure losses in the suction piping, the suction pressure will be slightly
below the tank pressure. The discharge pressure is dependent on the seawater
temperature. This pressure will correspond to a condensing temperature normally 5–
8◦C above the seawater temperature. Higher pressures indicate ineffective cooling
and/or to presence of incondensable gases or high ethane content (maximum and
minimum admissible pressures, see Burckhardt Compression Instruction Manual).
3.5 Check the gas temperature at suction and discharge sides of the compressor
stage(s) (maximum admissible temperatures, see Burckhardt Compression Instruction
Manual). The temperature on the suction side must be higher than the corresponding
dew point of the gas, to avoid condensation (danger of liquid knock).
3.6 Check glycol temperature at compressor outlet. This should be within 34–47 ◦C.
Sudden temperature variations must be avoided.
Normal starting
4.5.2 Continuous Operation No. Action
1 Suction, (intermediate) and discharge pressures must be followed.
2 Pressure gauge pointers must be continuously oscillated slightly.
3 Lube oil pressure in the range of 3.2–4.0 bar.
4 Gas temperature at suction and discharge side of the compressor. The temperature on
the suction side must be higher than the corresponding dew point of the gas, to avoid
condensation (danger of liquid knock).
5 Check glycol temperature at compressor outlet. This should be within 34–47◦C.
Sudden temperature variations must be avoided.
6 In addition, watch also the power consumption by ampere reading. Ampere meters
are located in the MCC and CCS.