Basra of University
Engineering College
Petroleum Engineering
Department
GAS COMPRESSOR
Supervisor: [Link] L. Swadi
STUDENT NAME:
1. Mohamed Abdulrazzaq Abduljalel (B-34)
2. Zharaa Salem Sahib (B-19)
3. Zainab Habeeb Mutasher (B-21)
4. Tabark Abdallah Ahmed (A-8)
5. Hamed Yousif Ahmed (B-9)
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INTRODUCTION
Gas compressor plays a critical role in various industries, from oil and gas
production to chemical manufacturing and power generation. Gas
compressors are essential pieces of equipment designed to increase the
pressure of a gas, enabling its efficient transport, processing, and utilization.
They are employed in a wide range of applications, such as gas pipelines,
refineries, petrochemical plants, and natural gas processing facilities.
The primary function of a gas compressor is to take in a low-pressure gas
stream and deliver it at a higher pressure, allowing for easier handling,
storage, and transportation. This process involves reducing the gas volume
while simultaneously increasing its pressure, resulting in enhanced energy
density. Gas compressors facilitate the movement of gases over long
distances, ensuring a reliable supply for various industrial processes and
consumer needs.
The efficiency and performance of gas compressors are crucial factors that
determine the overall productivity and cost-effectiveness of operations.
Different types of gas compressors exist, including centrifugal compressors,
reciprocating compressors, screw compressors, and rotary vane compressors.
Each type possesses unique characteristics, advantages, and limitations,
making their selection dependent on the specific application requirements.
In this report, we will explore the fundamental principles of gas compression,
the various types of gas compressors, their working mechanisms, and the
factors influencing their efficiency. We will delve into the key components of
gas compressors, such as the compressor unit, drivers, control systems, and
auxiliary equipment, examining their roles in ensuring optimal performance.
Additionally, we will discuss maintenance practices, safety considerations,
and emerging trends in gas compression technology.
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BENEFIT OF COMPRESSOR GAS
Gas compressors offer several benefits in various industries and applications.
Here are some key benefits of using gas compressors:
1. Enhanced Efficiency: Gas compressors allow for the efficient utilization of
gases by increasing their pressure. By compressing gases, their energy density
increases, enabling more effective transportation, storage, and utilization.
This leads to improved overall process efficiency and productivity.
2. Increased Capacity: Compressors enable the storage of larger volumes of
gases within a limited space. By reducing the gas volume through
compression, the capacity for gas storage is significantly increased, allowing
for greater quantities of gases to be stored and utilized as needed.
3. Improved Transportation: Gas compressors play a vital role in gas
transportation, particularly through pipelines. By maintaining or boosting the
pressure along the pipeline, compressors ensure the efficient and reliable
movement of gases over long distances, minimizing pressure drops and
ensuring a steady flow.
4. Versatility: Gas compressors are versatile in their applications. They can
handle a wide range of gases, including natural gas, air, hydrogen, nitrogen,
and various process gases. This versatility makes compressors suitable for
diverse industries and processes, providing flexibility in meeting different
operational requirements.
5. Process Control: Compressors enable precise control of gas pressure,
allowing for optimal process control in industrial operations. By adjusting the
compressor settings, operators can regulate the pressure levels to match
specific process requirements, ensuring consistent and reliable performance.
6. Energy Savings: Gas compressors can contribute to energy savings in
certain applications. For instance, in compressed air systems, efficient
compressors can minimize energy consumption by delivering the required
pressure with lower power input. Additionally, technologies like variable
speed drives allow compressors to match output to demand, reducing energy
waste during periods of low demand.
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7. Environmental Benefits: Utilizing gas compressors can have environmental
advantages, especially in terms of emissions reduction. For example, in
natural gas production, compressors can be used for vapor recovery, capturing
and compressing the gas that would otherwise be released into the
atmosphere. This reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps mitigate
environmental impacts.
8. Maintenance and Safety: Gas compressors often incorporate advanced
monitoring and control systems, allowing for predictive maintenance and
enhanced safety features. By continuously monitoring operating parameters
and performance, potential issues can be identified early, minimizing
downtime and optimizing maintenance schedules. Safety features, such as
pressure relief valves and automated shutdown systems, ensure safe operation
and protect against equipment failure.
In conclusion, gas compressors offer benefits such as enhanced efficiency,
increased capacity, improved transportation, versatility, process control,
energy savings, environmental benefits, and enhanced maintenance and
safety. These advantages make gas compressors indispensable tools in various
industries, supporting the reliable and efficient utilization of gases in
numerous applications.
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DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PUMPS AND COMPRESSOR
Pumps and gas compressors are both used to move fluids, but they differ in
their working principles and applications. Here are the key differences
between pumps and gas compressors:
1. Working Principle: Pumps work by transferring fluids from one location to
another using mechanical force, typically by creating a pressure difference.
They increase the fluid's kinetic energy, allowing it to flow from a low-
pressure area to a higher-pressure area. Gas compressors, on the other hand,
specifically handle gases and work by reducing the volume of gas to increase
its pressure. They utilize mechanical energy to compress and pressurize the
gas.
2. Fluid Type: Pumps are designed to handle both liquids and gases,
depending on the specific pump type. They can move water, oil, chemicals,
slurries, and various other liquid or gas mixtures. Gas compressors, however,
are specialized for handling gases only. They are used to compress and
pressurize gases such as natural gas, air, nitrogen, hydrogen, and process
gases.
3. Pressure Ratio: Pumps typically operate at lower pressure ratios, usually up
to a few hundred psi (pounds per square inch). They are primarily used to
overcome friction losses and transport fluids to a desired location. Gas
compressors, on the other hand, are designed to handle higher pressure ratios,
often ranging from a few hundred psi to several thousand psi. They
significantly increase the pressure of gases for various industrial processes,
transportation, and storage.
4. Equipment Design: Pumps and gas compressors have different design
characteristics to accommodate their respective working principles. Pumps
often have larger impellers or rotors, designed to handle the fluid's higher
density. They have inlet and outlet valves to control the fluid flow. Gas
compressors have smaller clearances between moving parts to minimize gas
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leakage during compression. They may include additional features like
intercoolers or aftercoolers to manage temperature rise during compression.
5. Applications: Pumps find widespread use in industries such as water and
wastewater treatment, oil and gas production, chemical processing, HVAC
systems, and agriculture. They are employed for fluid transfer, circulation,
and distribution purposes. Gas compressors, on the other hand, are commonly
used in natural gas processing plants, refineries, petrochemical plants, gas
pipelines, power generation, and various industrial processes requiring
compressed gases.
6. Safety Considerations: Pumps and gas compressors have different safety
considerations due to the properties of the fluids they handle. Pumps must be
designed to handle potential leaks or spills of liquids, which can cause
environmental hazards or safety risks. Gas compressors, on the other hand,
require safety measures to manage the higher pressures and potential release
of compressed gases, which can be flammable or toxic.
In summary, pumps and gas compressors differ in their working principles,
fluid types, pressure ratios, equipment design, applications, and safety
considerations. While pumps transfer both liquids and gases, gas compressors
specialize in compressing and pressurizing gases. Understanding these
distinctions is crucial for selecting the appropriate equipment for specific fluid
handling requirements in various industries and applications.
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TYPES OF GAS COMPRESSOR
- Positive Displacement Compressors
In all positive displacement machines, a certain inlet volume of gas is confined
din a given space and subsequently compressed by reducing this confined
space or volume. At this elevated pressure, the gas is next expelled into the
discharge piping or vessel system.
Although positive displacement compressors include a wide spectrum of
configurations and geometries, the most important process machines are
piston compressors and helical screw rotating machines. Though there are a
number of other, including diaphragm and sliding vane compressors, the
overwhelming majority of significant process gas-positive displacement
machines are clearly reciprocating piston and twin helical screw-rotating or
rotary screw machines.
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- Reciprocating compressor
Reciprocating or piston compressor is a positive displacement compressor that
uses the movement of a piston within a cylinder to move gas from one pressure
level to another (higher) pressure level.
Reciprocating compressors types include the following:
a) Simple Single-Cylinder: As single cylinder has one suction, compression
and discharge area. Double acting cylinder designs have two suction,
compression and discharge areas.
b) Multi-Cylinder: Some reciprocating compressors can have up to six
cylinders. Pistons connected to crankshaft are utilized to compress the gas.
c) Multi-stage Design: Multi-stage compression stage take the vapor and
compress it into
- Rotary compressors
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Screw compressor is a positive displacement machine and has a distinct
working phase: suction, compression and discharge. Two counter rotating
helical screw are arranged in a compressor casing; gas inlet and discharge
nozzles are at opposite ends.
rotary screw compressors are very likely the equipment of choice for either
oil-free or oil-wetted compression of air in mining, construction, industrial
refrigeration or a host of other applications where their relative simplicity,
general reliability and high availability are appreciated. Rotary screw
compressors are equally suited to compress process gases.
- Dynamic Compressors
Imparting velocity to a gas stream and then converting this velocity energy
into pressure energy. These compressors are frequently called turbo
compressors, and centrifugal machines comprise perhaps 80% or more of
dynamic compressors. The remaining 20% or less is axial flow machines
intended for higher-flow, lower-pressure applications.
- Centrifugal Compressor
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The centrifugal compressor is a dynamic machine that achieves compression
by applying inertial forces to the gas (acceleration, deceleration and turning)
by means of rotating impellers.
- Axial Flow Compressor
Axial-Flow Compressors can handle large flow volumes in relatively small
casings and with favorable power requirements. Pressure range for axial
compressor is low to medium.
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APPLICATIONS
Gas compressors are used in various applications where either higher
pressures or lower volumes of gas are needed:
• in pipeline transport of purified natural gas to move the gas from the
production site to the consumer. Often, the compressor in this application is
driven by a gas turbine which is fueled by gas bled from the pipeline. Thus,
no external power source is necessary.
• in petroleum refineries, natural gas processing plants, petrochemical and
chemical plants, and similar large industrial plants for compressing
intermediate and end product gases.
• in refrigeration and air conditioner equipment to move heat from one place
to another in refrigerant cycles
• in gas turbine systems to compress the intake combustion air
• in storing purified or manufactured gases in a small volume, high pressure
cylinders for medical, welding and other uses
• in many various industrial, manufacturing and building processes to power
all types of pneumatic tools.
• as a medium for transferring energy, such as to power pneumatic equipment.
• in pressurized aircraft to provide a breathable atmosphere of higher than
ambient pressure.
• in some types of jet engines (such as turbojets and turbofans) to provide the
air required for combustion of the engine fuel. The power to drive the
combustion air compressor comes from the jet's own turbines.
• in SCUBA diving, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and other life support devices
to store breathing gas in a small volume such as in diving cylinders.
• in submarines, to store air for later use in displacing water from buoyancy
chambers, for adjustment of depth.
• in turbochargers and superchargers to increase the performance of internal
combustion engines by increasing mass flow.
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