Relative Work External Pressure Losses

Liz and I had a project to expand the wet-gas compressor capacity of a centrifugal machine in Pasadena, Texas. We ran a pressure survey on the compressor system, as summarized in Fig. 43.2. 

Our client had been monitoring the inlet pressure to the compressor at the Pj pressure point. But we found that the actual compressor inlet pressure was 2 psi lower, due to the in-line basket filter. 

This filter had apparently never been cleaned. Our dient then asked us to calculate the percent of the motor amps being wasted across the partially plugged basket filter. 

Atmospheric pressure in Pasadena on the day our data were taken equaled 15 psia, or 30.6 Hg. 

Therefore, the relative work required by the compressor, with the existing restriction of the fouled filter, was 

FiauRE 37.2 In-line basket filter reduces apparent compressor efficiency. 

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