Centrifugal Compressor Operation And Maintenance

PaperPg. 10-25.The operation and maintenance of centrifugal compressors varies considerably depending upon the size, speed, horsepower, and type of driver. Typical centrifugal compressors vary from high speed, low flow applications to very large flow, low speed machines. Each has its own operating and maintenance problems. Centrifugal compressors are normally driven by electric motors and speed increasing gears for the low flow, low horsepower applications. The middle size ranges are usually motor-gear, steam turbine or gas turbine direct connected combinations. The very large flow, large horsepower machines are practically all steam turbine driven with a few being driven by gas turbine where natural gas fuel is available. Centrifugal compressors can be designed and built with operation and ease of maintenance practices in mind. Specific items such as off-design operation, bearings and seals, casing design and mounting, and lubrication systems are discussed