Foundation And Skid Design Considerations For Large, High-Speed Reciprocating Compressors

摘要

New GMRC Guideline will draw on industry best practices. In the past decade, high-speed (700 rpm and above) reciprocating compressors have become common for gas transmission and storage applications. Driven by gas engines or electric motors, these compressor packages are generally 1999 to 8000 hp (1491 to 5966 kW). Foundations and skids support the compressor and driver, ensuring frame and coupling alignment and providing energy paths for dissipation of equipment unbalance and other time-variant forces. Proper foundation and skid design is a critical success factor when applying high-speed reciprocating compressors in this size range. The soon-to-be-completed Gas Machinery Research Council (GMRC) Design Guideline for High-Speed Reciprocating Compressor Packages for Natural Gas Transmission and Storage Applications is the product of a two-year investigation of industry experience and best practices. This article provides a preview of some of the GMRC guideline's recommendations for skid and foundation design.