Session: 20-02 PTC10 and Compressor Performance Measurement Techniques

Paper Number: 125080

125080 - Detection of Flow Induced Aerodynamic Performance Characteristics of Centrifugal Compressors Using Acoustic Measurements 

The use of inline centrifugal compressors is prevalent in the oil & gas industry. The process conditions for these compressors necessitate operation over a range of inlet flows, suction & discharge pressures and speeds. The aerodynamic performance characteristics vary as a function of the inlet flow. The head versus flow map depicts the operating range of the compressor, with typical operation near a flow condition that is located in the mid portion of the map (i.e., the check-point or the best-efficiency point). Upstream or downstream demand can necessitate changes to the flow conditions during operation. As flow is throttled, the compressor approaches the surge line. The onset of reversal of flow near surge can trigger flow induced characteristics in the downstream piping, which can result in sub-synchronous vibrations on the shaft displacement probes. On the high flow side, choking of the flow triggers flow induced characteristics that often result in super-synchronous vibrations on the shaft probes. In this paper, the use of acoustic microphones as a tool to aid in detecting flow induced characteristics at various locations on a head-flow map shall be presented. The influence of vaned diffusers on the flow induced characteristics shall also be presented. In addition to benchmarking the audible noise levels for centrifugal compressors using acoustic devices, this paper also focuses on its use for detecting flow induced vibration characteristics for centrifugal compressors.

 

 

Presenting Author: Anand Srinivasan Solar Turbines Inc

Presenting Author Biography: xyz

Authors:

Anand Srinivasan Solar Turbines Inc
Edward Fowler Solar Turbines Inc
Corey Fuzak Solar Turbines Inc
Rainer Kurz Solar Turbines Inc