Page 51 - Oil and Gas Production Handbook An Introduction to Oil and Gas Production

• Reciprocating
compressors,
which use a
piston and
cylinder design
with 2-2 cylinders
are built up to
about 30 MW
power, around
500-1800 rpm
(lower for higher
power) with pressure up to 5MPa (500 bars). Used for lower capacity
gas compression and high reservoir pressure gas injection. Photo:
Ariel corp.

• Screw compressors are
manufactured up to
several MW,
synchronous speed
(3000/3600 rpm) and
pressure up to about
2.5 MPa (25 bar). Two
counter-rotating screws
with matching profiles
provide positive
displacement and a
wide operating range.
Typical use is natural
gas gathering.
Photo: Mycom/Mayekawa mfg.

• Axial blade and fin type
compressors with up to
15 wheels provide high
volumes at relatively
low pressure differential
(discharge pressure 3-5
times inlet pressure),
speeds of 5000-8000
rpm, and inlet flows up
3
to 200,000 m /hour.
Applications include air compressors and cooling compression in
LNG plants. Axial rotor photo: Dresser Rand

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