Page 236 - Reciprocating Compressors Operation Maintenance

Operation and Maintenance of Reciprocating Compressors 221

~25 x Base

3 x Base

2 xBase

= approximately
$11/kWperyr

FIGURE 3-67. Average maintenance costs for reciprocating compressors at
various North American Plants (1986) (Source: Block, H. P, "Consider a Low
Maintenance Compressor," Chemical Engineering, July 18, 1988).

Figure 3-67, the annual maintenance expenses (approximately $15/hp, or
$ll/kW) at this well-managed location were the lowest of the plants
studied. The other installations tabulated in Figure 3-67 include both
lubricated and non-lubricated compressors in severe service.
Figure 3-67 deserves a closer look. The labyrinth machines at Plant A
had maintenance expenditures roughly one-third those reported for con-
ventional reciprocating compressors at the same site. The comparison
between labyrinth and conventional units at Plant B involves the exact
same service in the same size range. There, the maintenance cost for
lube-free conventional machines exceeded that of the labyrinth machines
by almost five to one.