Centrifugal compressors testing

Brown, Royce N., Centrifugal Compressor Testing, Presented at The Third Compressor Train Reliability Symposium sponsored by Engineering Ad i-sory Committee, Manufacturing Chemists Association, April, 1973. 

Centrifugal Compressor Tests.—In making acceptance tests, the compressor is tested with no piping at the inlet, the air being taken directly into the unrestricted compressor inlet, which is to be at a distance from the wall or from the floor equal to at least its own diameter. At the discharge end a length of pipe, equal to about ten times the discharge diameter is attached. At about the middle... 

Obviously this test applies only to the centrifugal compressor. The manufacturer normally performs this test whether specified or not. Since the user does have an interest in the test, some discussion of the parameters is in order. API 617 mandates the test, which includes the requirement to spin the impeller at a speed of 115% of the maximum continuous speed for a duration of one minute. 

The API mechanical standards for the rotary and centrifugal compressor have a test specified for proof of rotor insensitivity. This would normally be the test invoked at this point to ultimately prove the rotor. The fifth edition of API 617 expanded on this test and changed the acceptance criteria from those based on amplification factor to an acceptance level based on internal seal clearances. 

Wong, W., Acceptance Testing of Centrifugal Compressors and the Application of ASME Power Test Code PTC 10-1965, 1. Mech. Conference Publication 1978-1, Mechanical Engineering Publications, Ltd., for the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, 1978, pp, 123-129. 

Sayyed, S., Aerodynamic Shop Testing Multistage Centrifugal Compressor and Predicting Gas Performance, ASME 78-PET-28, New York American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 1978,... 

Polytropic efficiencies are obtained from measurements of power consumption of test equipment. They are essentially independent of the nature of the gas. As the data of Figure 7.27 indicate, however, they are somewhat dependent on the suction volumetric rate, particularly at low values, and on the compression ratio. Polytropic efficiencies of some large centrifugal compressors are listed in Table 7.6. These data are used in Example 7.9 in the selection of a machine for a specified duty. 

If a gas leak test is called for, the test can take place shortly after the hydrotest, especially on the reciprocator cylinder or centrifugal or rotary compressors, where the gas is tested without end seals. 

Head coefficient, 156 Head equation, adiabatic, 3 t Head equation, poly tropic, I Head, centrifugal, 156 Head, reciprocating, 58 Heat run test (dry), 413 Helical compressor, 5, 7 adiabatic efficiency, Itil applicalion mnge, 7. ly asymmetric profile, 96 bearings, 116 capacity control, 95 casings, 114 circular profile, 95 cooling, I i 1 discharge temperature (dry), I 17... 

All the major process equipment, such as vessels, reactors, columns, furnaces, heat exchangers, coolers, pumps, compressors, motors, fans, turbines, filters, centrifuges, dryers, etc., including field fabrication and testing if necessary ... 

Carry out short rumiing-in tests with air (where suitable) on all main centrifugal blowers and compressors to ensure satisfactory mechanical operation when a works test has not been canied out Hit V H CHV... 

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