Reciprocating compressor control
Thread Content
There are multiple users at the outlet of a reciprocating compressor, and each user needs to have control over the flow rate; how can this be achieved? Is it still necessary to have multiple compressors?
Reciprocating machines belong to the positive-displacement type and can be designed to switch between different load levels. The excess can only be dealt with by the user themselves ； Or return upstream to the compressor as a temporary solution.
This needs to be considered comprehensively. For example, the pressure and flow rate required by each user, as well as whether the gas supply is continuous or intermittent and the duration of the intermittent periods. Since reciprocating compressors require regular replacement of piston rings, it is also necessary to consider whether a backup unit is needed, or to purchase a liquid vaporizer to ensure continuous gas supply. Using the information obtained as described above, create a table; configure gas storage tanks, flow meters, pressure control valves, or flow regulation valves as needed. Without these conditions met, it is difficult to provide assistance; this is for reference only.
Additional note: Multiple users have the same gas consumption specifications, and it is necessary to control the amount for each user simultaneously. Please answer the questions directly, thank you.
The compressor cannot meet the user’s flow requirements. Traffic load is a rigid requirement of downstream users, and the compressor can only accommodate it. If four users have one circuit turned off, the volumetric flow rate discharged by the compressor remains unchanged, but the outlet pressure increases; as a result, the actual mass flow rate for the remaining three users increases. When another circuit is turned off, the outlet pressure continues to rise; the increase in pressure ratio leads to an increase in the motor’s power, until the motor overloads and shuts down. Therefore, a return valve PV must be installed in the reciprocating machine, with the outlet pressure used for PIC protection.
Different stroke adjustments can be applied to each outlet
Thank you for your participation, but you didn’t answer the question. Could you provide a specific plan? What I need is a control scheme for adjustment
Could you be more specific? My understanding is that either multiple compressors are used, with one compressor controlling one user. Is the plan you mentioned the same as the theory I understand?
The compressor is equipped with load rating levels. The outlet PIC controls the compressor bypass PV; reflux is activated in case of overpressure.