Reciprocating Com

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORS

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSDescription The reciprocating compressor is a positive displacement, intermittent-flow machine and operates at a fixed volume. One method of volume variation, however, is by speed modulation. Another, more common method is to use clearance pockets with or without valve unloading.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSDescription With clearance pockets, the cylinder performance is modified. With valve unloading, one or more inlet valves are physically open. Capacity may be regulated in a single- or double- acting cylinder with single or multiple configurations.A unique feature of the reciprocating compressor is the possibility of multiple services on one compressor frame.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSDescription On a multistage frame, each cylinder can be used for a separate gas service. Lubrication of compressor cylinders can be tailored to the application. The cylinders may be designed for normal hydrocarbon lubricants or can be modified for synthetic lubricants. The cylinder may also be designed for self lubrication, generally referred to as nonlubed.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSDescription A compromise lubrication method which uses the nonlubed design but requires a small amount of lubrication is referred to as the mini-lube system.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSDescription An unusual nonlubed compressor is a labyrinth piston compressor.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSDescription The piston does not touch the sides of the cylinder because it is equipped with a series of circumferential by labyrinths operating with a close clearance to the cylinder wall. What is the effect of that?

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSDescription The piston does not touch the sides of the cylinder because it is equipped with a series of circumferential by labyrinths operating with a close clearance to the cylinder wall. Efficiency is sacrificed (due to gas by-pass) in order to obtain a low maintenance cylinder. This design is mentioned primarily due to its being unique, as it is not widely manufactured.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSDescription Another feature necessary to the reciprocating compressor is cylinder cooling. Most process compressors are furnished with water jackets as an integral part of the cylinder. Alternatively, particularly in the smaller size compressors, the cylinder can be designed for air-cooling.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSClassification Reciprocating compressors can be classified into several types. One type is the trunk or automotive piston type . The piston is connected to a connecting rod, which is in turn connected directly to the crankshaft.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSClassification This type of compressor has a single-acting cylinder and is limited to refrigeration service and to smaller air compressors. Most of the smaller packaged refrigeration system compressors are this type.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSClassification The more common type of compressor used in process service is the crosshead type .

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSClassification The piston is driven by a fixed piston rod, which passes through a stuffing or packing box and is connected to a crosshead.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSClassification The crosshead, in turn, is connected to the crank-shaft by a connecting rod. In this design, the cylinder is isolated from the crankcase by a distance piece.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSClassification A variable length or double distance piece is used to keep crankcase lubrication from being exposed to the process gas.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSClassification This design has obvious advantages for hazardous materials. The cylinder can be either single or double acting.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSClassification Except for very small compressors, most reciprocating compressors furnished to the process industry use the double acting configuration.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSArrangement Most multicylinder arrangement is in pairs in the form of a V usually at 45o from the vertical. The few single-acting crosshead compressors are normally single-stage machines with vertical cylinders. The more common double-acting type, when used as single-stage, has horizontal cylinders. The double-acting cylinder compressor is built in both the horizontal and the vertical arrangement.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSArrangement From a ring wear consideration the more logical orientation is vertical, however, taking into account size and the ensuring physical location as well as maintenance problems, most installations normally favor the horizontal arrangement. The most common multistage configuration being the horizontally opposed. Other variations include V, Y angle or L type.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSArrangement

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSPrinciple of work Compression With the piston moving towards the closed end (compression stroke), the original volume of air is reduced and the pressures increases until the cylinder pressure exceeds the receiver discharge pressure.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSPrinciple of work Discharge At this time, the cylinder pressure exceeds the receiver pressure forcing the discharge valve to open to pass gas to the receiver. The flow continues until the piston reaches the end of the stroke at point 3 and the pressure declines as the piston reverses its direction. The inlet valve is closed during discharge.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSPrinciple of work ExpansionThe gas expansion takes place during the next part of the stroke. Both the inlet and exhaust valves are closed, the piston is moving towards the point of beginning and the pressure is decreasing to the inlet pressure. During the expansion stroke, the compressed gas left in clearance volume area from the discharge expands to the cylinder inlet pressure.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSPrinciple of work IntakeDuring this time, the inlet valve is open and the piston completes the intake stroke to a fully expanded position. The piston movement creates a partial vacuum causing the inlet valve to (loaded) for the next cycle.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSPrinciple of work IntakeThe effectiveness is influenced by numerous factors such as clearance volume, inlet pressure, receiver pressure, valve performance, piston-cylinder leakage, nature of gas, temperature, etc. The mass flow will remain constrant for dry gas although pressure, volume and temperature will change. If condensate is removed from the gas the mass flow will reduce.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSPrinciple of work Actual capacity Is the quantity of gas actually compressed and delivered to the discharge system by the machine at rated speed and under rated inlet and discharge conditions (and under rated inter-stage conditions in a multi-stage machine). Actual capacity is usually expressed in cfm or m3/hr referred to first stage inlet temperature and pressure.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSPrinciple of work Actual capacity Piston displacementActual CapacityVE=Actual CapacityPiston displacement

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Cylinder serves as a container for the gas. It must be strong enough to withstand whatever pressures are to be generated.Piston a circular object usually made of metal, which fits inside the cylinder. It causes the cylinder volume to change when moved, (compression).Inlet valve Permits gas to enter the cylinder on the intake stroke and closes when the piston starts compression. Several inlet valves may be needed.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Discharge valve Opens at the early part of the compression stroke allowing the gas to pass out of the cylinder into a discharge vessel. The discharge pressure keeps the valve open until the pressure drops at the end of the stroke. Other essentials include provision for lubrication, removing heat from compressor and power to move the piston.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Cylinders

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Cylinders Separable Distance piece Piloting Cooling (Water or Air)Steel for the smaller, high pressure cylinders Nodular or Ductile iron

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Cylinders On larger cylinders, there is normally enough space for clearance pockets. An additional location is the head casting on the outboard end of the cylinder. On smaller cylinders, this feature must be provided external to the cylinder.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Cylinders Clearance volume is the volume present in one compressor cylinder or one compressor in excess of the net volume displaced by the piston during one cycle.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Cylinders When applied to double acting piston compressor, the volumes are referred to both the head end (HE) and the cylinder end (CE) . It may not be the same for the two ends in a double acting cylinder. An average is usually used.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Piston and rods

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Piston and rods The piston must translate the energy from the crankshaft to the gas in the cylinder. The piston is equipped with a set of sliding seals referred to as piston rings. Rings are made of a material, which must be reasonably compliant for sealing, yet slide long the cylinder wall with minimum wear.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Piston and rods Different rings are used for lubricated or nonlubricated service, with the rings in the nonlubed cylinders needing good dry lubricating qualities. For lubricated service, metallic rings such as cast iron or bronze as well as nonmetallic materials such as filled nylon are used.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Piston and rods For nonlubricated service, the ring material is nonmetallic, ranging from carbon to an assortment of fluorocarbon compounds.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Piston and rods Horizontal cylinder pistons feature the addition of a wear band, sometimes referred to as a rider ring .Piston may be of segmented construction to permit the use of one piece wear bands.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Piston and rods Weight in a piston contributes directly to the compressor shaking forces and must be controlled. For this reason aluminum pistons are often found in large low pressure cylinders. Hollow pistons are used but can pose a hazard to maintenance personnel if not properly vented. If trapped, the gas will be released in an unpredictable and dangerous manner when the compressor is dismantled.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Piston and rods The piston rod is threaded to the piston and transmits the reciprocating motion from the crosshead to the piston. The piston rod is normally constructed of alloy steel and must have a hardened and polished surface particularly where it passes through the cylinder packing (double-acting cylinders).

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Piston and rods Rod loading must be kept within the limits set by the compressor vender because overloading can cause excess run out of the rod resulting in premature packing wear. This in turn leads to leakage, reduced efficiency and increased maintenance expense.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Piston and rods In unloaded or part load operation, rod reversals must be of sufficient magnitude to provide lubrication to the crosshead bearings. The bearings are lubricated by the pumping action of the opening and closing of the bearing clearance area.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Piston and rods Tail rods are dummy rods, which protrude from the head end of the cylinder .

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Piston and rods The purpose of the rod is to pressure-balance a piston or to stabilize a particular piston design.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Piston and rods In a tandem cylinder arrangement, the outboard cylinders are driven with a rod similar to the tail rod.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Valves

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Valves Of all the many components in a reciprocating compressor, none works harder nor serves a more important compressor component function than the suction and discharge valves. In fact, compressor efficiency is determined by the performance of the valves more than any other component.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Valves The compressor cylinder valves are of the spring loaded, gas actuated type in all but a limited number of portable compressors. This kind of valve is used in contrast to the cam actuated poppet type normally found in piston engines.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Valves The reciprocating compressor uses automatic spring loaded valves that open only when differential pressure exists across the valve. Inlet valves open when the pressure in the cylinder is slightly below the intake pressure. Discharge valves open when the pressure in the cylinder is slightly above discharge pressure.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Valves Reciprocating compressors generally use one of three basic valve configurations: Plate Channel Feather type

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Valves Plate valve

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Valves Plate valveThis type of valves employs two additional spring-loaded discs, which effectively reduce flutter and cushion the impact of opening and closing.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Valves Plate valveThe built-in dampening action of these valves makes them particularly suitable for compressors operating at high speeds (750 rpm or more), and in applications with either a high pressure differential (greater than 17 atm differential) or varying pressure conditions within the same compressor.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Valves Channel valveIn operation, gas trapped between the spring and channel provides a cushioning or dampening effect to minimize pounding and wear, and permits a somewhat larger lift than other types.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Valves Channel valveIn operation, gas trapped between the spring and channel provides a cushioning or dampening effect to minimize pounding and wear, and permits a somewhat larger lift than other types. Each channel and spring operates individually as an independent valve

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Valves Channel valveChannel valves are good for medium to low pressure service, with a maximum pressure differential of 34 atm. They are tolerant of dirty environments, and offer a particularly advantageous flow pattern in sizes up to 133 mm diameter.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Valves Channel valve

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORSCompressor make-up Valves Feather valveThe feather valve is most common on the higher speed compressors because of its light weight . Due to the valve design and the fact that there are no springs, these valves also provide a good flow pattern through the centre of the valve. Feather valves are normally used with a maximum pressure differential of up to 25.0 atm.

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Reciprocating Com