Basic Anti-Surge Control System

Reference: Compressor Handbook by Paul C Hanlon

FCV COOLER LX HIC

LAG SUCTION
FZ FIC FX FT DPT

RECYCLE FLOW

FE

DISCHARGE FLOW

SURGE LINE

DP

CONTROL LINE

DP C h ( b)
C

h
b

FTThe flow transmitter is a differential pressure transmitter which measures the pressure drop across the flow element and transmits a signal that is proportional to flow squared. DPTThe differential pressure transmitter measures the differential pressure across the compressor and transmits an output signal that is proportional to the measured pressure differential. FXThe ratio station receives the signal from the flow transmitter and multiplies the signal by a constant. This constant is the slope of the control line. FZThe bias station receives the signal from FX, the ratio station, and biases the surge control line. The ratio station must have both ratio and bias adjustment to enable the control line to be placed as parallel to the compressor surge line as possible.

DP C h b
where: DP = C= h= b= calculated compressor differential pressure signal Control line slope (ratio signal) inlet orifice differential pressure signal measured by FT Control line bias (could be zero)

When the calculated DP is greater than the measure DP, the compressor is operating to the right of the control line. When the calculated DP is equal to or less than the measured DP, the compressor is on or to the left of the control line, and the surge controller functions as a flow controller and opens the anti-surge valve as necessary to maintain operation of the compressor on this surge control line. For rapid flow changes, the response of the control system must be rapid to prevent surge. LAGThis device functions to enable the surge controller to open the recycle valve quickly, while providing a slow closure rate. This feature provides stability between the anti-surge control system and the process by minimizing the hunting effect between control system and recycle valve. LXThe low signal selector is set up for two inputs and one output. The inputs are a 100% signal valve and the surge controller output signal. The output of the low selector is sent to the recycle valve as well as back to the surge controller in the form of a feedback signal. This prevents the surge controller from winding up. Windup of the controller penalizes the reaction time of the anti-surge control system Prep'd by: Ankur Srivastava Chemical Engineer Email: ankur_2061@hotmail.com