Page 339 - Reciprocating Compressors Operation Maintenance

324 Reciprocating Compressors: Operation and Maintenance

Valve Cover Temperatures

Compressor: Stage: 1st
Type Temperature Measuring Device:

Valve Measured Inspected
Date Time Location Temperature By Remarks

FIGURE 5-1. Compressor inspection report.

do not seat themselves. Therefore, the valve should perform perfectly the
instant it is put into service.
If a valve performance problem is suspected, proceed as follows:

• With the compressor running loaded, check valve cover temperature
of all suction valves in the cylinder in question.
• Check for wide temperature differences between valves. On a typical
single-stage double-acting watercooled machine with 100 psi dis-
charge, suction valve cover temperature may be approximately
115°-120°F. Variances of 5-8°F from cover to cover may be expect-
ed. With a leaking valve, cover temperature may be 135°F or more.