V-type reciprocating compressor pressure relief
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I would like to ask how a V-type reciprocating compressor releases pressure before each start-up. Without a unloader and without a bypass line for the safety valve, pressure can only be released through the drain valve located under the drain tank. Do you use it in the same way? Is this meeting the requirements? We deal with natural gas compressors.
This is generally the case: as long as the pressures at various levels are relieved, the pressure inside the cylinder will also gradually drop to normal pressure.
Our facility also has compressors of this type. I hadn’t thought about this issue until you mentioned it; indeed, there is no unloading device nor a safety valve bypass. When we need to relieve pressure, it’s during maintenance, and we do so by using the drain valve to release pressure to the outside. It’s natural gas as well. Fortunately, the compressor isn’t very large and the volume of gas handled isn’t much, but it still poses a risk
It just seems like there’s something wrong with this. It’s fine if it’s used continuously, but if it’s used intermittently, it becomes a real hassle.