Compressor leakage
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We have a piston compressor here; during winter, after each shutdown, water is drained from it, and the water jackets are also purged with gas. When water was introduced again before starting the compressor, process gas was detected coming from the cooling water side, which led us to suspect a leak in the compressor. We then pressurized the cooling water side to check for leaks but found no issues, and a helium test was conducted as well with no problems detected. Finally, the cylinder liners were removed, cleaned under pressure and submerged in water, yet still no problems were found. What is certain is that process gas did indeed emerge from the cooling water side during that attempt to introduce water. Everyone, please help analyze it – what could be the problem here?
I’m not quite clear about the structure of the compressor you’re referring to. Could the process gas be leaking in from the packing? Also, how do you determine that it is indeed process gas?
The compressor comes with cylinder liners, which are similar to a water jacket. Our process gases are somewhat special, but this is something that can be confirmed without any doubt.
It’s very likely that the gasket at that time was faulty; now that a new gasket has been installed, there is no longer any leakage issue.
Another possibility is that some oil supply pipes have an aluminum gasket in the water jacket layer; if the oil supply pipe becomes loose during the replacement or repair of the oil supply valve, the gas inside the cylinder can leak into the water jacket.
It’s likely that there’s a problem with the sealing of the gasket in the compressor cylinder head. Did you replace the gasket while taking the equipment apart?
It’s possible that it entered through the oil injection port of the cylinder liner
Reply to 1# gagachaozi: Personally, I think the judgment in the second floor is correct. If process gas appears in the cooling water, it means there is a leak in the unit’s packing, allowing process gas to enter the cooling water system. Our hydrogen compressors have had issues before.
Back to Floor 8: In many compressors, the cooling water for the cylinders and the cooling water for the packing are separate.
In piston compressors, when the aforementioned phenomenon occurs, there are generally two possible causes: 1. The cylinder has suffered frost cracking or has manufacturing defects; 2. There is a leak in the cylinder head gasket. (As you mentioned, I think the main reason is that after operation stops, the water in the jacket is drained, and due to thermal expansion, the bolts securing the cylinder head become loose. When the machine is started again, the compression medium leaks through the cylinder head gasket into the circulating water.)
Reply to 9# A Pot of Fragrant Tea: All you can say is that you haven’t seen or encountered it.