Influence of centrifugal compressor system components on its general rotordynamic characteristics

Abstract

Nowadays most countries are depending on Oil and Gas for their energy supply. In such operations, centrifugal compressors are dominating most of the used critical machines hence it is important to give these turbomachines more consideration in terms of their technical performance and reliability. Centrifugal compressors are one of many turbomachines that require technical solutions for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR). The oil and gas fields have different production environments which require adequate selection of compressors to handle the variance in gas and oil specifications and this in turn force the equipment manufacturers to revise their currently used design specifications. This research presents different types of compressors and their work principles with an emphasis on centrifugal compressor components The literature review carried in this research describes different cases in turbomachinery rotordynamics where failures were encountered at the commissioning and operation stages. Also the literature shows how these machines are improved technically by improving the compressor components performance such using Pocket Damper seals and tilting type bearings. The aim of this research is to study the factors affecting Rotordynamic behaviour of large natural gas centrifugal compressors. The study will review the influence of various conditions of rotor components such as bearings, seals, impellers, etc on the overall Rotordynamic stability at various process conditions ... [cont.].