Gas Moving - Pressure Service.docVIP

3.2.1 Gas Moving: Pressure Service Fans, blowers and centrifugal and reciprocating compressors. 1. Fans: Trouble shooting: “Noise”: vortex, flow separation loose bearings. “Discharge pressure low”: instrument error fans in series rotating in the same direction operating below the stall point density increase. “Low flowrate”: instrument error flow separation pitch angle of blades too shallow speed slow required system discharge high. 2. Blowers: For rotary lobe: when used for pressure pneumatic conveying install a check valve in the blower discharge. Trouble shooting: “Discharge pressure high”: instrument error restriction in downstream line check valve jammed in closed position dirty intake filter. “Discharge pressure low”: instrument error slippage of the drive belts relief valve stuck open increasing air loss at the rotary valve due to larger clearance opening from wear loss of air caused by larger lobe clearance in the blower due to wear a leak, such as a ruptured hose, in a vacuum system a ruptured bag in the downstream bag house. 3. Centrifugal compressors: Good practice: allow safety margins of design speed 5%, design head 10% and design power 15%. The sonic velocity decreases with an increase in gas molar mass. Trouble shooting: “Surging”: insufficient flow increased discharge pressure required by the system deposit buildup in diffuser. “Discharge pressure low”: instrument error compressor not up to speed excessive inlet temperature leak in discharge system. Provide separate anti-surge system for compressors operating in parallel; need careful design of suction piping for double flow compressors. 4. Reciprocating-piston compressors: Good practice: design velocity through valves 40 m/s. Trouble shooting: major faults: valves and piston rings. “Knocking”: frame lubrication inadequate head clearance too small crosshead clearance too high; “Vibration”: pipe support inadequate loose flywheel or pulley valve LP unloading system defective. “