The function of the compressor stone wall line and the mechanism of interlock operation
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What is the function of the compressor stone wall line and what are its interlock actions? Why is this interlocking action established in this way?
This post was last edited by Lihua Nan on 2011-11-19 at 11:21. Stone wall control is a control method for propylene compressors in newly designed ethylene processes. In new ethylene plants, multi-stage refrigeration compressors operate under certain conditions, resulting in an excessive amount of gas refrigerant being drawn in at the first and second stages, preventing it from all being compressed and sent to the next stage; therefore, a portion of this gas refrigerant must be discharged from the second or third stage and returned to the first stage. If this portion of the refrigerant is not discharged from the compressor, it will circulate between stage two and stage three. Whenever it tries to enter stage three, it’s as if this portion of the refrigerant hits a wall; hence, this phenomenon is known as the rock wall effect. When the stone wall phenomenon occurs, the compressor vibrates, which can cause significant damage to the compressor itself. Therefore, when the stone wall phenomenon may occur in the compressor, excess gas refrigerant must be discharged and sent back a section of the way to the compressor to circulate outside the compressor, rather than inside it.
2# Front-line staff: Regarding the stone wall line, should it be set to fully open after the compressor stops?
According to the principle behind designing stone wall lines, it is fundamentally different from the minimum return line, and no cutting is required. Personal opinion.
Wow, I learned it! There is really a lot to learn in this field! Thank you!
Can the stone wall phenomenon be avoided as much as possible in practice?
Thank you so much; it’s been very helpful to me
I have another question: 1. The control valve for the stone wall line should be fully closed when in normal operation; is this valve set to operate automatically or manually? 2. Can the stone wall line control valve quickly fulfill the function of eliminating stone walls when operated in automatic mode, and what is the typical return value?
Learning is endless; keep learning. It’s similar to the surge line, I guess.