TY - JOUR
T1 - Aerothermodynamic and rotordynamic performance evaluation to diagnose deposits accumulation in a gas lift centrifugal compressor
AU - Al Mamari, Ahmed
AU - Al Azri, Nasser
AU - Al Rawahi, Nabeel
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Authors
PY - 2024/5/1
Y1 - 2024/5/1
N2 - The paper presents a case study focusing on the assessment of the aerothermodynamic and rotordynamic performance to diagnose deposit accumulation on the internals of a centrifugal compressor. The case involves a four-stage gas lift centrifugal compressor powered by a 5.9 MW induction motor and utilizing a fluid coupling to regulate the compressor's rotational speed. The Huntington 4-point method was employed to evaluate the polytropic head and efficiency of the four compressor sections over a 20-month period, with pressure and temperature data sampled every 6 hours. The efficiency model was supported by the GERG-2008 equation of state, used to calculate the necessary thermodynamic properties at intermediate and endpoint states. The aerothermodynamic analysis identified a deterioration in polytropic efficiency in compressor section 3, accompanied by a pressure drop and an increase in discharge temperature. Simultaneously, the rotordynamic response was examined through various vibration plots. Although the increase in the vibration amplitudes was not significant, a notable phase shift was observed. This decline in polytropic efficiency and change in vibration patterns were attributed to severe fouling, which was confirmed during the overhaul of the HP compressor. Root cause investigations revealed the deposit as reactive, leading to the installation of an online washing system. Over a nine-month observation period post-maintenance, the compressor operation was stable with no degradation in its polytropic efficiency.
AB - The paper presents a case study focusing on the assessment of the aerothermodynamic and rotordynamic performance to diagnose deposit accumulation on the internals of a centrifugal compressor. The case involves a four-stage gas lift centrifugal compressor powered by a 5.9 MW induction motor and utilizing a fluid coupling to regulate the compressor's rotational speed. The Huntington 4-point method was employed to evaluate the polytropic head and efficiency of the four compressor sections over a 20-month period, with pressure and temperature data sampled every 6 hours. The efficiency model was supported by the GERG-2008 equation of state, used to calculate the necessary thermodynamic properties at intermediate and endpoint states. The aerothermodynamic analysis identified a deterioration in polytropic efficiency in compressor section 3, accompanied by a pressure drop and an increase in discharge temperature. Simultaneously, the rotordynamic response was examined through various vibration plots. Although the increase in the vibration amplitudes was not significant, a notable phase shift was observed. This decline in polytropic efficiency and change in vibration patterns were attributed to severe fouling, which was confirmed during the overhaul of the HP compressor. Root cause investigations revealed the deposit as reactive, leading to the installation of an online washing system. Over a nine-month observation period post-maintenance, the compressor operation was stable with no degradation in its polytropic efficiency.
KW - Centrifugal compressor
KW - Deposit accumulation
KW - Equation of state
KW - Fouling
KW - Polytropic efficiency
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UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/2b59fdb8-05b6-36d5-bdf3-a7ebbc75b6aa/
U2 - 10.1016/j.csite.2024.104306
DO - 10.1016/j.csite.2024.104306
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85189036681
SN - 2214-157X
VL - 57
JO - Case Studies in Thermal Engineering
JF - Case Studies in Thermal Engineering
M1 - 104306
ER -