Page 447 - Compression Machinery for Oil and Gas

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Chapter 11

Compressor System Design

and Analysis

§
†
Sarah Simons*, Martin Hinchliff , Benjamin White*, George Talabisco ,
‡
Rainer Kurz and Min Ji ‡
* †
Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, United States, Dresser-Rand, Painted Post, NY,
‡ §
United States, Solar Turbines, Inc., San Diego, CA, United States, Dresser-Rand, Olean, NY,
United States
Introduction

Compressor systems must be designed and evaluated according to industry
standards for safety and reliability reasons. This chapter will cover various com-
pressor arrangements and station layouts as well as a detailed description of
different analyses that can be performed to sufficiently design and evaluate
problems in the station piping. In the following description of each analysis will
be a reference to each relevant standard or guideline that provides the param-
eters that determine the acceptability of the design for operation.

Compressor Station Layouts and Arrangements

Reciprocating Compressors
In a reciprocating compressor station, the operating gas typically enters through
station yard piping and passes through scrubbers or filters to remove liquid,
solids, and other particulates in the gas stream. Once the gas has been cleaned,
it is directed into headers which distribute the flow to individual compressors.
Most stations consist of multiple compressors with the units operating in par-
allel or in series when needing to boost the pressure. The compressors are driven
by conventional piston engines or electric motor drives. The compressor and
driver configuration can be integral with the compressor cylinders and power
cylinders mounted on the same frame and driven by the same crankshaft or sep-
arable with crank throws 180 degree out of phase and the frame separated from
the driver. A conceptual example of a typical reciprocating compressor skid and
station layout is shown in Fig. 11.1A.

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