COMPRESSOR

PAB 2053

Outline

Introduction
Reciprocating compressor
Rotary compressor
Centrifugal compressor
Planned Preventive Maintenance

Introduction

Compressors are used to flow gas from

lower pressure to higher pressure system
Gas lift, gas injection, gas storage, sales
gas (evacuation and distribution), NGL
recovery, LNG etc.
Many types of compressors but only few are
commonly used in oil and gas field
Compressors receive their source of energy
from drivers or prime movers

Suction scrubber is very important

absolutely necessary to prevent
contaminants/dirt/salt (solids and liquids)
from entering compressor
Discharge Pressure outlet
Suction Pressure inlet

Types and Classification

COMPRESSOR

POSITIVE
DISPLACEMENT

RECIPROCATING

KINETIC
(DYNAMIC)

CENTRIFUGAL
(RADIAL FLOW)

ROTARY

AXIAL FLOW

Single-Stage

Screw

Single-Stage

Multi-Stage

Sliding Vane

Multi-Stage

Positive Displacement

Pressure of gas is increased by reducing its

volume

Piston or screw or vanes moves inside a cylinder

Gas trapped inside the cylinder are compressed
(reduced in volume) as the components
moves/rotates
The compressed gas has higher pressure

Reciprocating Compressor

Main components are piston and cylinder

Reciprocating cycle has four steps: compression,
discharge, expansion and suction

Reciprocating Compressor

Reciprocating compressor

Classified as high speed (900 -1200 rpm) or low

speed (200 600 rpm)
No. of throws = no. of pistons
Stage of compressor (compression stage)
Each stage has its own suction scrubber,
cylinder and after-cooler
No. of throws not equal no. of stages
Two-stage four-throw compressor two
cylinders working in parallel, sharing one suction
scrubber and one after cooler (discharge)

Reciprocating compressor

Sizes 50 hp to 3000 hp
Low-speed best used when

Large horsepower increments required

Very high pressures involved
Heavy molecular weight gases involved
Long project life
Fuel efficiency is important

High-speed

Horsepower increments less than 4000 hp

Short project life

High-speed

Low-speed

Rotary Screw Compressor

Helical or spiral lobe compressors

Two helical rotors (one with rounded tips and one
with rounded grooves) rotated by timing gears
Each groove is filled with gas and when rotors rotate
towards each other, the trapped gas is compressed
Compressed gas is then discharged at outlet port
Can be oil-lubricated or non-lubricated
Up to 400 hp (for oil and gas service) and Discharge
pressure up to 250 psig
More efficient at low discharge pressure (<50 psig)
Takes 10 20% more horsepower at higher
discharge pressure (>50 psig)

Screw Compressor

Rotary - Sliding-Vane
compressor

Vanes fitted into slots on the rotor

Vanes slide in and out as rotor rotates
Gas fills in between the vanes and wall of cylinder
As rotor rotates, gas trapped is compressed
because volume is reduced
Lubricated by oil
Mostly used for application under 125 hp and
Discharge pressure usually less than 100 250psig
Small, inexpensive for low hp service

Sliding-Vane compressor

Kinetic Energy Compressor

Pressure is increased by reducing velocity

of gas from high to low

Gas enters eye of impeller and accelerated

outward the impeller as the impeller moves
The acceleration imparts kinetic energy to the
gas
As gas leaves the impeller, gas slows down and
expands and some kinetic energy converted to
pressure energy

Centrifugal Compressor

Centrifugal compressor

Important Components

Impeller (rotating)

Stationary parts

circular blades or wheels

Important because impeller imparts the kinetic
energy to gas
Diffusers flow channels for gas from exit of one
impeller to inlet of another impeller
Diaphragms solid walls of the channels

Casing

Houses the stationary and rotating parts

Vertically split (barrel) or horizontally split

Planned Preventive
Maintenance

Compressors are the most expensive gasprocessing equipment to buy and operate and
so good maintenance is essential
Objectives of maintenance program

Ensure safety of personnel

Keep equipment running reliably
Minimise costs

Cost control is challenging. Planned

Preventive Maintenance is the approach to
provide adequate repair and monitoring
services at minimum cost

PPM program
Regulations and codes

1.

Lubrication system

2.

3.

All applicable governmental regulations must be

followed and industry codes should be
considered carefully
Lubrication is to prevent wear and tear
Too much lubrication and too little is bad
Lube oil must be regularly checked for
contaminants

Monitoring and shutdown system