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(Paper) (Can I Start Centrifugal Compressor With Discharge Valve Closed)
(Paper) (Can I Start Centrifugal Compressor With Discharge Valve Closed)
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alpesh p
Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
No, with no discharge flow, there's no suction flow the compressor will immediatley go into surge. However, if a Low-Flow recycle control is installed, upstream of the
discharge valve (which should recycle back to the suction drum to prevent heat build-up), then the compressor will operate without surging and without lifting the
discharge safety valve but the condition should be corrected ASAP.
(A Centrifugal Compressor will normally be fitted with a Low flow recycle system taken off from the aftercooler discharge line for use during start-up but, if a sudden low
flow condition occurs and the recycle doesn't have time to activate, a Low Flow alarm and trip system will shut down the machine).
Also, starting a centrifugal pump against a closed discharge is quite common practice as long as it too has a low flow protection recycle back to the suction vessel. This
Low flow recycle is common where the discharge has a liquid level or flow control valve installed and may close down during normal operation. This valve would be
operating as a 'Split System' controller in conjunction with the Low-Flow recycle control valve.
PD pumps without discharge pressure safety protection should NEVER be started against a closed discharge, the hydraulic pressure build up will be instantaneous with
possible disastrous results or stalling of the pump.
Source(s):
Many years in the Oil & Gas Industry.
5 years ago Report Abuse
33% 2 Votes
Norrie
Search Yahoo! for start-up sequence of centrifugal compressor discharge or suction close
You should probably be talking to a local factory representative for both the pump and the compressor and explain to them what you are trying to do.
I am sure they would be happy to advise you.
gatorbai...
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070810063733AAwCcLD 1/8/2013
Can I start centrifugal compressor with discharge valve closed? - Yahoo! Answers Page 2 of 3
Sure beats damaging yourselves or others by doing this wrong.
5 years ago Report Abuse
0% 0 Votes
I don't like the idea of dead-heading a pump that's not supposed to be dead-headed. I would check the manual for startup instructions, then contact the company
representative and propose your solutions.
This device may have a bypass loop, which is very useful for startup. If this device compresses flammable materials (methane, hydrogen) proceed with great
caution, and hopefully with a couple of technicians who know this startup well.
5 years ago Report Abuse
0% 0 Votes
Shawn A
You don't normally start compressors against a closed valve. Some compressors can handle this within their own controls that will dump the air automatically. If
you need to control the discharge, it would be better to install a tank in line and control the discharge from the tank and not directly at the compressor.
5 years ago Report Abuse
17% 1 Vote
Jeffrey S
Very,very inadvisable. The machine will surge (unless of course you are talking about a situation where there is a recycle upstream of the valve)
5 years ago Report Abuse
17% 1 Vote
Robert A
what use for that compressor... whatever use for... try this:
#
Gas compressor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A gas compressor is a mechanical device that increases the pressure of a gas by ... Charles's law says "when a gas is compressed, temperature is raised" ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_compressor - 45k - Cached .
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brayton_cyc…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ericsson_cy…
good luck
? 5 years ago Report Abuse
17% 1 Vote
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http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070810063733AAwCcLD 1/8/2013