Compressors application ranges

Figure 1-2. Typical application ranges of compressor types.

Avogadro s Law, 16 Axial compressor, 13, 14 application range, 14, 226 balance piston, 252... 

Both reciprocating engines and turbines are used as prime movers in production facilities to directly drive pumps, compressors, generators, cranes, etc. Reciprocating engines for oil field applications range in horsepower from 100 to 3,500, while gas turbines range from 1,500 to in excess of 75,000. 

Each of the two general classes of compressors and their subclass types have certain advantages and disadvantages regarding their respective volumetric flow capabilities and the pressure ratios they can obtain. Figure 3-69 shows the typical application range in volumetric flowrate (actual cfm) and pressure ratio several of the most important compressor types can obtain [23]. 

Application ranges of fans and compressors are indicated on Figures 7.20 and 7.21. Some of these categories of equipment now will be discussed in some detail. 

Figure 7.20. Applications ranges of compressors and fans (Worthington) (a) Pressure-capacity ranges for air at 1 atm, 60°F, 0.075 Lb/cuft. (b) Head-capacity ranges for all gases. Similar charts are given by Ludwig (1983, Vol. 1, p. 251) and Chemical Engineers Handbook (1984, p. 6.21).

Application ranges of the various kinds of devices for maintenance of subatmospheric pressures in process equipment are shown in Table 7.3. The use of mechanical pumps—compressors in reverse— for such purposes is mentioned earlier in this chapter. Pressures also can be reduced by the action of flowing fluids. For instance, water jets at 40psig will sustain pressures of 0.5-2.0psia. For intermediate pressure ranges, down to O.lTorr or so, steam jet ejectors are widely favored. They have no moving parts, are quiet, easily installed, simple, and moderately economical to operate, and readily adaptable to handling corrosive vapor mixtures. A specification form is in Appendix B. 

Figure 6.2 Approximate application ranges for reciprocating and centrifugal gas compressors.

Catalytic reformers, 572, 586 Catalyzed organic reactions, 563-564 Cement kilns, 576,590 Centrifugal compressors, 145 application range, 149, 150 cross section, 147... 

In compressor oil applications, PAO-based lubricants have advantages due to their better chemical inertness and resistance to chemical attack. Synthetic compressor oils are used in corrosive chemical environments, for example, in sulfuric acid or nitric acid plants. PAO-based lubricants are also used in refrigeration compressor applications due to their excellent low temperature fluidity, lubricity and generally wider operating temperature range. 

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