Discussion on issues with water ring compressors
Thread Content
The polypropylene exhaust compressor uses a water ring compressor. During operation, it was observed that the pressure of the liquid at the bottom of the compressor’s outlet liquid separation tank, as it flowed back into the water ring of the compressor via the heat exchanger, fluctuated between 0.2 Mpa and 0.4 Mpa. However, both the liquid level in the outlet liquid separation tank and the outlet pressure remained stable. Is this situation normal in practice?
It’s abnormal; could the water entering the compressor from the separation tank be carrying some gas, thereby causing pressure fluctuations in the pressure readings?
The liquid level in the outlet separation tank is 50%, and it remains very stable; there can be no gas-liquid two-phase mixture. It is now suspected that the flow rate of the circulating liquid is too high, having exceeded the acceptable range
If it is suspected that the flow rate of the circulating liquid is too high, try adjusting the opening degree of the pipeline valve. Even if the liquid level remains stable, if the outlet pipe of the separation tank does not have an anti-vortex design, it is possible for water and air to coexist, resulting in some bubbles. If there is a flow sightglass on the pipeline, it is possible to check whether bubbles are present. When encountering a problem, first rule out each possible cause one by one
I consulted the manufacturer, who also said they suspect that vortices forming at the bottom of the separation tank are causing the gas-liquid two-phase phenomenon
I consulted the manufacturer, who also said they suspect that vortices forming at the bottom of the separation tank are causing the gas-liquid two-phase phenomenon