Centrifugal Compressors

Course Content

• TECHNOLOGY

  • Different types of centrifugal compressors. Architecture of a centrifugal compressor.
  • Technology of the main components: stator, rotor, bearings, thrust bearing, seals.
  • Vibrations, critical speed, dynamic balancing. Auxiliary equipment: lubrication system, buffer gas, balancing line, etc.
  • Safety devices: axial displacement, vibrations, bearing and thrust bearing temperatures, oil pressure, etc.

• PERFORMANCES

  • Changes in gas velocity and pressure in a centrifugal compressor.
  • Mass and volume flow rate as a function of pressure, temperature and gas composition.
  • Discharge temperature, power absorbed as a function of the gas composition and the operating conditions.
  • Compressor performance: influence of process parameters, impeller velocity and geometry.
  • Characteristic curves of the circuit and the compressor.
  • Influence of the operating conditions: inlet pressure and temperature, gas composition, rotation speed.

• OPERATION

  • Flow rate control. Adaptation to service conditions.
  • Surge and antisurge devices. Standard control. Start-up and shutdown.
  • Monitoring the compressor and auxiliary equipment during operating conditions. Troubleshooting and safe operation.

• DYNAMIC SIMULATION - APPLICATIONS

  • Use of a dynamic process simulator.
  • Exercises on start-up and shutdown phases.
  • Applications using disturbances generated by the lecturer.