Centrifugal compressor
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Are there any requirements regarding the inlet pressure when starting a centrifugal compressor?
One more question: what happens if the inlet pressure of the centrifugal compressor is too low?
One more question: what happens if the inlet pressure of the centrifugal compressor is too low?
When a centrifugal pump-compressor starts up, the current is very high, and the startup time varies depending on various factors; it is generally more than 3 seconds. If the inlet pressure is too high at the time of startup, the load on the compressor increases, which in turn raises the current and thus the startup current of the compressor. This is detrimental to the compressor’s motor and can even lead to tripping, as the motor’s protection mechanism operates based on the level of current and the duration for which it persists. The higher the current and the longer the period of overcurrent, the more likely it is that the motor will trip. Prolonged overcurrent also poses a significant strain on the system’s power grid.
The outlet pressure of a centrifugal compressor is calculated based on the suction pressure and the compression ratio. A high suction pressure leads to a high discharge pressure as well as a higher discharge temperature. Taking an propylene compressor as an example, the suction pressure in the first stage needs to be controlled in order to prevent excessively high discharge pressures. Interlocks for high temperature and pressure are installed at the compressor’s outlet; if these values exceed certain limits, the compressor will shut down automatically
Too low an inlet pressure on the compressor can cause surging: lol
There are requirements: too low pressure can lead to vacuum formation. It’s theoretically possible.