Experiences in Developing a Practical Algorithm of Identification and Attenuation of Pressure Pulsation and Piping Vibration in Gas Reciprocating Compressor Plants and Other Systems

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maciej Rydlewicz ◽  
Wojciech Rydlewicz
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Pulsation ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Piping System ◽  
Reciprocating Compressor ◽  
Mechanical Vibrations ◽  
Dynamic Forces ◽  
Piping Systems ◽  
Practical Engineering ◽  
Gaseous Media ◽  
Practical Algorithm

This paper presents results of research on practical engineering solutions to suppress pressure pulsation and mechanical vibrations in piping systems. It concerns both new build and retrofitted plants. Analyses were performed according to ASME B31, EN-13480 and API 618 codes. Solutions were considered for natural gas reciprocating compressor stations (gaseous media) and liquid hydrocarbons plant with various pumps. Pressure pulsation in a piping system is a source of dynamic forces. Unbalanced pressure layout in the piping system results in the presence of dynamic forces that may excite mechanical vibrations [1,7, 22, 23, 24]. In industrial applications, mechanical vibrations are present mostly in resonant conditions. Since hundreds of eigenvalues can characterise the piping system, it is crucial to identify the key ones, which are likely to be excited to vibrate. Therefore, it is necessary to allow adequate modelling and subsequent analysis of the fluid-structure interaction with available engineering tools.

Analysis of Pressure Pulsations in Reciprocating Compressor Piping Systems

1966 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 164-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. S. Grover
Keyword(s):  
Field Test ◽  
Test Data ◽  
Piping System ◽  
Reciprocating Compressor ◽  
Practical Application ◽  
Pressure Pulsations ◽  
System A ◽  
Piping Systems ◽  
Limiting Condition

This paper deals with pulsations in pressure and flow in the reciprocating compressor and connected piping system. A model is presented that describes the excitation at the compressor and the propagation of the pulsations in the interconnected piping. It has been adapted to digital computations to predict the pulse magnitudes in reciprocating compressor piping systems and to assess measures for their control. Predicted results have been compared with field test data and with simplified limiting condition results. A discussion of its practical application is included.

Transient Pressure Loss in Compressor Station Piping Systems

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus Brun ◽  
Marybeth Nored ◽  
Dennis Tweten ◽  
Rainer Kurz
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Loss ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Piping System ◽  
Flow Profile ◽  
Fluid Models ◽  
Reciprocating Compressor ◽  
Fluid Structure Interactions ◽  
Fluid Structure ◽  
Pressure Losses ◽  
Piping Systems

“Dynamic pressure loss” is often used to describe the added loss associated with the time varying components of an unsteady flow through a piping system in centrifugal and reciprocating compressor stations. Conventionally, dynamic pressure losses are determined by assuming a periodically pulsating 1-D flow profile and calculating the transient pipe friction losses by multiplying a friction factor by the average flow dynamic pressure component. In reality, the dynamic pressure loss is more complex and is not a single component but consists of several different physical effects, which are affected by the piping arrangement, structural supports, piping diameter, and the level of unsteadiness in the flow stream. The pressure losses due to fluid-structure interactions represent one of these physical loss mechanisms and are presently the most misrepresented loss term. The dynamic pressure losses, dominated at times by the fluid-structure interactions, have not been previously quantified for transient flows in compressor piping systems. A number of experiments were performed by SwRI utilizing an instrumented piping system in a compressor closed loop facility to determine this loss component. Steady and dynamic pressure transducers and on-pipe accelerometers were utilized to study the dynamic pressure loss. This paper describes findings from reciprocating compressor experiments and the various fluid modeling studies undertaken for the same piping system. The objective of the research was to quantitatively assess the individual pressure loss components which contribute to dynamic pressure (non-steady) loss based on their physical basis as described by the momentum equation. Results from these experiments were compared to steady state and dynamic pressure loss predictions from 1-D and 3-D fluid models (utilizing both steady and transient flow conditions to quantify the associated loss terms). Comparisons between the fluid model predictions and experiments revealed that pressure losses associated with the piping fluid-structure interactions can be significant and may be unaccounted for by advanced 3-D fluid models. These fluid-to-structure losses should not be ignored when predicting dynamic pressure loss. The results also indicated the ability of an advanced 1-D Navier Stokes solution at predicting inertial momentum losses. Correspondingly, the three-dimensional fluid models were able to capture boundary layer losses affected by 3-D geometries.

Attenuation of Gas Pulsation in a Reciprocating Compressor Piping System by Using a Volume-Choke-Volume Filter

2012 ◽  
Vol 134 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Boxiang Liu ◽  
Jianmei Feng ◽  
Zhongzhen Wang ◽  
Xueyuan Peng
Keyword(s):  
Characteristic Frequency ◽  
Pressure Pulsation ◽  
Natural Frequencies ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Piping System ◽  
Reciprocating Compressor ◽  
Pass Filter ◽  
Low Pass Filter ◽  
Response Characteristics ◽  
Low Pass

This paper presents an investigation of the use of a volume-choke-volume low-pass filter to achieve gas pulsation attenuation in a reciprocating compressor piping system, with a focus on its frequency response characteristics and influence on the actual attenuation effects. A three-dimensional acoustic model of the gas pulsation was established for a compressor discharge piping system with and without the volume-choke-volume filter, based on which the gas column natural frequencies of the piping system and the pressure wave profiles were predicted by means of the finite element method. The model was validated by comparing the predicted results with the experimental data. The results showed that the characteristic frequency of the filter was sensitive to both diameter and length of the choke but independent of the parameters of the piping beyond the filter. It is worth noting that the characteristic frequency of the filter constituted one order of the gas column natural frequencies of the piping system with the filter. The pressure pulsation levels in the piping system downstream of the filter could be significantly attenuated especially for the pulsation components at frequencies above the filter’s characteristic frequency. The measured peak-to-peak pressure pulsation at the outlet of the filter was approximately 61.7% lower than that of the surge bottle with the same volume.

Guidelines in Pulsation Studies for Reciprocating Compressors

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian C. Howes ◽  
Shelley D. Greenfield
Keyword(s):  
High Efficiency ◽  
Pressure Pulsation ◽  
Piping System ◽  
Reciprocating Compressor ◽  
Efficient Operation ◽  
Pressure Drops ◽  
Design Standard ◽  
Overall Design ◽  
Unbalanced Force ◽  
Gas Compression

While new gas compression in pipeline service tends to be dominated by centrifugal machines, reciprocating compressors still have a significant place in the industry. Specific dynamic design is required to ensure reliable and efficient operation of all reciprocating compressor installations. This requirement is particularly significant in pipeline installations, because the compressor is intended to be in service for many years, and because high efficiency is important for economic reasons. It is widely recognized that the design of these types of installations should include a “pulsation study”. A pulsation study involves analysis of the proposed installation to predict pulsation, vibration, and stress levels. Further, a pulsation vibration control scheme is developed as part of the overall design. The objective is to ensure that predicted pulsation and vibration levels meet guidelines while limiting associated pressure drops and horsepower losses to acceptable levels. Various guidelines have been used in these studies, but the most commonly used standards are in API 618. While this standard was not originally intended for pipeline service, in reality it represents the best design standard available for high specification reciprocating compressor installations in any application. Recently, work has been done to upgrade the API 618 design standard. One of the changes in the proposed new 5th edition is the addition of unbalanced force guidelines to the existing pressure pulsation guidelines. Much discussion occurred regarding the need for and the advisability of making the addition. Real examples show designs in which a reduction of pressure pulsation is accompanied by an increase in unbalanced forces, illustrating the need for an unbalanced force guideline. It is also shown that problems can occur due to unbalanced forces in parts of the piping system not currently addressed by the pulsation guidelines in API 618. The paper compares the current 4th Edition versus the draft 5th Edition. Comments are made on the applicability of the various guidelines. While API 618 is the best available design document, the addition of force guidelines will help API 618 do a better job for industry.

The Impact of Reciprocating Compressor Pulsations on the Surge Margin of Centrifugal Compressors

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus Brun ◽  
Rainer Kurz ◽  
Sarah Simons
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Pressure Pulsation ◽  
Numerical Approach ◽  
Piping System ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Reciprocating Compressor ◽  
Centrifugal Compressors ◽  
Surge Margin ◽  
Periodic Pressure ◽  
The Impact

Pressure pulsations into a centrifugal compressor can move its operating point into surge. This is concerning in pipeline stations where centrifugal compressors operate in series/parallel with reciprocating compressors. Sparks (1983), Kurz et al., (2006), and Brun et al., (2014) provided predictions on the impact of periodic pressure pulsation on the behavior of a centrifugal compressor. This interaction is known as the “Compressor Dynamic Response” (CDR) theory. Although the CDR describes the impact of the nearby piping system on the compressor surge and pulsation amplification, it has limited usefulness as a quantitative analysis tool, due to the lack of prediction tools and test data for comparison. Testing of compressor mixed operation was performed in an air loop to quantify the impact of periodic pressure pulsation from a reciprocating compressor on the surge margin of a centrifugal compressor. This data was utilized to validate predictions from Sparks' CDR theory and Brun's numerical approach. A 50 hp single-stage, double-acting reciprocating compressor provided inlet pulsations into a two-stage 700 hp centrifugal compressor. Tests were performed over a range of pulsation excitation amplitudes, frequencies, and pipe geometry variations to determine the impact of piping impedance and resonance responses. Results provided clear evidence that pulsations can reduce the surge margin of centrifugal compressors and that geometry of the piping system immediately upstream and downstream of a centrifugal compressor will have an impact on the surge margin reduction. Surge margin reductions of <30% were observed for high centrifugal compressor inlet suction pulsation.

Transient Pressure Loss in Compressor Station Piping Systems

2011 ◽  
Vol 133 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus Brun ◽  
Marybeth Nored ◽  
Dennis Tweten ◽  
Rainer Kurz
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Loss ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Piping System ◽  
Flow Profile ◽  
Fluid Models ◽  
Reciprocating Compressor ◽  
Fluid Structure Interactions ◽  
Fluid Structure ◽  
Pressure Losses ◽  
Piping Systems

“Dynamic pressure loss” is often used to describe the added loss associated with the time varying components of an unsteady flow through a piping system in centrifugal and reciprocating compressor stations. Conventionally, dynamic pressure losses are determined by assuming a periodically pulsating 1D flow profile and calculating the transient pipe friction losses by multiplying a friction factor by the average flow dynamic pressure component. In reality, the dynamic pressure loss is more complex and is not a single component but consists of several different physical effects, which are affected by the piping arrangement, structural supports, piping diameter, and the level of unsteadiness in the flow stream. The pressure losses due to fluid-structure interactions represent one of these physical loss mechanisms and are presently the most misrepresented loss term. The dynamic pressure losses, dominated at times by the fluid-structure interactions, have not been previously quantified for transient flows in compressor piping systems. A number of experiments were performed by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) utilizing an instrumented piping system in a compressor closed-loop facility to determine this loss component. Steady and dynamic pressure transducers and on-pipe accelerometers were utilized to study the dynamic pressure loss. This paper describes the findings from reciprocating compressor experiments and the various fluid modeling studies undertaken for the same piping system. The objective of the research was to quantitatively assess the individual pressure loss components, which contribute to dynamic pressure (nonsteady) loss based on their physical basis as described by the momentum equation. Results from these experiments were compared with steady-state and dynamic pressure loss predictions from 1D and 3D fluid models (utilizing both steady and transient flow conditions to quantify the associated loss terms). Comparisons between the fluid model predictions and experiments revealed that pressure losses associated with the piping fluid-structure interactions can be significant and may be unaccounted for by advanced 3D fluid models. These fluid-to-structure losses should not be ignored when predicting dynamic pressure loss. The results also indicated the ability of an advanced 1D Navier–Stokes solution at predicting inertial momentum losses. Correspondingly, the three-dimensional fluid models were able to capture boundary layer losses affected by 3D geometries.

Effect of a cross-flow perforated tube on pressure pulsation and pressure loss in a reciprocating compressor piping system

2016 ◽  
Vol 231 (3) ◽  
pp. 473-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhan Liu ◽  
Junming Cheng ◽  
Quanke Feng ◽  
Xiaoling Yu
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Loss ◽  
Pressure Pulsation ◽  
Cross Flow ◽  
Wave Theory ◽  
Hole Diameter ◽  
Tube Length ◽  
Maximum Deviation ◽  
Piping System ◽  
Reciprocating Compressor ◽  
Perforated Tube

This paper experimentally investigates the effects of a cross-flow perforated tube on the pressure pulsation attenuation and pressure loss in a reciprocating compressor piping network, with particular focus on the structure parameters and installation positions. The results demonstrate that significant pressure fluctuation attenuation and less pressure loss in the whole piping system can be achieved when a well-designed cross-flow perforated tube is installed downstream of the pulsating bottle. The pressure pulsation is reduced as the perforated rate decreases and as the perforated tube length increases, while the hole diameter has little effect upon the pulsation attenuation. In the aspect of reducing pressure loss, the perforated rate should be larger than 0.05 and the hole diameter should be larger than 8 mm. In addition, a pressure pulsation computation model based on the linear acoustic wave theory and transfer matrix method is developed to predict the pulsating pressure in compressor piping systems with an installed cross-flow perforated tube. With favorable agreement between the model prediction and the present experimental results (maximum deviation within 6.8%), the predicted pulsating pressure can be attenuated for the reciprocating compressor piping system with various compressor speeds when a cross-flow perforated tube is reasonably designed and installed.

Prediction of Pressure Pulsation for the Reciprocating Compressor System Using Finite Disturbance Theory

2009 ◽  
Vol 131 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Xu ◽  
Quanke Feng ◽  
Xiaoling Yu
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Pulsation ◽  
Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations ◽  
Piping System ◽  
Reciprocating Compressor ◽  
Pressure Pulsations ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
Large Pressure ◽  
Finite Theory ◽  
Finite Disturbance ◽  
Excessive Noise

Pressure pulsations in the piping system of the reciprocating compressor produce excessive noise and even lead to damage in piping and machinery. Therefore, it is very important to predict precisely the pressure pulsation with large amplitude in the piping system. In this paper, the finite disturbance theory is used to solve the nonlinear partial differential equations that describe the unsteady one-dimensional compressible flow in the complex piping system. The solution is then compared with experimental results. The comparison shows that the finite theory fits the large pressure disturbance more precisely than the acoustic theory.

The Impact of Reciprocating Compressor Pulsations on the Surge Margin of Centrifugal Compressors

2017 ◽  
Vol 139 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus Brun ◽  
Sarah Simons ◽  
Rainer Kurz
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Pressure Pulsation ◽  
Piping System ◽  
Reciprocating Compressor ◽  
Centrifugal Compressors ◽  
Surge Margin ◽  
Periodic Pressure ◽  
Compressor Surge ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Asme Paper

Pressure pulsations into a centrifugal compressor can move its operating point into surge. This is concerning in pipeline stations where centrifugal compressors operate in series/parallel with reciprocating compressors. Sparks (1983, “On the Transient Interaction of Centrifugal Compressors and Their Piping Systems,” ASME Paper No. 83-GT-236); Kurz et al. (2006, “Pulsations in Centrifugal Compressor Installations,” ASME Paper No. GT2006-90700); and Brun et al. (2014, “Impact of the Piping Impedance and Acoustic Characteristics on Centrifugal Compressor Surge and Operating Range,” ASME J. Eng. Turbines Power, 137(3), p. 032603) provided predictions on the impact of periodic pressure pulsation on the behavior of a centrifugal compressor. This interaction is known as the “compressor dynamic response” (CDR) theory. Although the CDR describes the impact of the nearby piping system on the compressor surge and pulsation amplification, it has limited usefulness as a quantitative analysis tool, due to the lack of prediction tools and test data for comparison. Testing of compressor mixed operation was performed in an air loop to quantify the impact of periodic pressure pulsation from a reciprocating compressor on the surge margin (SM) of a centrifugal compressor. This data was utilized to validate predictions from Sparks’ CDR theory and Brun’s numerical approach. A 50 hp single-stage, double-acting reciprocating compressor provided inlet pulsations into a two-stage 700 hp centrifugal compressor. Tests were performed over a range of pulsation excitation amplitudes, frequencies, and pipe geometry variations to determine the impact of piping impedance and resonance responses. Results provided clear evidence that pulsations can reduce the surge margin of centrifugal compressors and that geometry of the piping system immediately upstream and downstream of a centrifugal compressor will have an impact on the surge margin reduction. Surge margin reductions of over 30% were observed for high centrifugal compressor inlet suction pulsation.

On Categorization of Seismic Load As Primary or Secondary for Multi-Modal Piping Systems

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Labbé
Keyword(s):  
Linear Time ◽  
Seismic Load ◽  
Piping System ◽  
Ductility Demand ◽  
Plastic Yield ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Piping Systems ◽  
Practical Engineering ◽  
Input Motion ◽  
Input Level

Abstract Categorizing the seismic load requires calculating the input level associated with the ultimate capacity and comparing it to the level associated with the plastic yield. Therefore, an analysis of the seismically induced ductility demand in oscillators of variable frequencies was carried out by running non-linear time response analyses, the seismic input motion being simulated as samples of a stochastic process of central frequency fc. The response of oscillators with frequencies, f0, varying from 0.1 fc to 10 fc, was systematically analyzed. For every oscillator, 10000 time-responses were performed, corresponding to 1000 input samples multiplied by 10 input levels, covering a wide range of ductility demand up to 20. Output is that seismic loads should be regarded as secondary for flexible oscillators (f0 < fc) while it should be regarded as primary for very stiff oscillators (f0 > cut-off frequency of the input motion, fcut), with intermediate situations for fc < f0 < fcut. A practical engineering rule is presented to incorporate this result when calculating the primary part of seismically induced streeses in a multimodal piping system. This rule is currently tested in the framework of the OECD-NEA international benchmark MECOS.

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