RMC-04-98 "ONLINE" MONITORING OF RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORS

Description:

Continuous monitoring of critical rotating machinery is widely accepted by users of strictly rotating machinery such as centrifugal and screw compressors. However, continuous monitoring of reciprocating machinery such as compressors and internal combustion engines has not achieved the same level of acceptance. Significant progress has been achieved recently in narrowing this “acceptance gap.” This paper describes the pilot installation of a RECON C-GUARD monitoring system on a Worthington BDC-2 reciprocating compressor at PETROBRAS Gabriel Passos Refinery in Betim, MG, Brazil. This system, developed by Windrock Inc. Technology and marketed exclusively by Dresser- Rand, is the first system of its kind ever installed in Brazil. This paper also includes the theory of Reciprocating Compressor Dynamic Analysis using practical examples of common compressor defects diagnosis. The results of the pilot project at Gabriel Passos Refinery are assessed regarding both process and refinery profitability improvements.