Make the Most of Reciprocating Compressors

摘要

By Amin Almasi, rotating equipment consultant MANY CHEMICAL plants rely on reciprocating compressors. These units, also known as piston-type compressors, can generate high head independent of the gas density. They currently are the only compressors available for producing pressures above 1,000 bar. They particularly suit services with relatively low capacity and relatively high differential pressure. The configuration preferred today has horizontal cylinders) with the discharge nozzle on the bottom side (Figure 1). Vertical and inclined machines still are in use but aren't popular; they generally are considered only for non-critical applications and small sizes (usually below 350 kW). Sometimes plants select non-horizontal machines because they have a smaller footprint and so can save space or because they're cheaper.