Speedtronic MKVIe Control Panel Training

Centrifugal Compressor Antisurge

Overview
FLOW
PRESSURE
TRANSMITTER TRANSMITTER

FT

PRESSURE
TRANSMITTER

PT

PT

Pd = Discharge Pressure

COMPRESSOR

Qin = Inlet Flow Rate

Ps = Suction Pressure

ANTISURGE
CONTROL

ANTISURGE VALVE

Compressor Pressure
Ratio
CPR = Pd/Ps

Performance Curves

Maximum
continuous speed
(MCS)

Minimum
operating speed
(MOS)

Compressor Pressure Ratio (CPR)

Performance
Compressor Curve

105%

100%
98%
90%
80%
65%

Inlet Flow Rate (Qin)

Compressor Speed

Performance Curves
Compressor Pressure Ratio (CPR)

The actual operating point is unique and it

is always the intersection between the
compressor curve at the given speed and
the plant resistance curve.

External system
resistance curve

Operating
point

105%
100%
98%
90%
80%
65%

Inlet Flow Rate (Qin)

Performance Curves

Surge Limit
Line

Compressor Pressure Ratio (CPR)

Operating range

105%
100%
98%
90%
80%
65%

Inlet Flow Rate (Qin)

Choking Area

Compressor Pressure Ratio (CPR)

Choking
Choke rapresents the right limit of performance
curve.
Rapid decrease in performances and
efficiency.
105%
100%
98%
80%
65%

90%

Choking Area

Inlet Flow Rate (Qin)

The pressure decrease and the Inlet

Flow remain the same.

The Choking isnt dangerous for the

machine.

Surge
Surge is the left limit of performance curve, on the left of this line the compressor operates in
unstable condition;
All surge points, defined for different speeds represent the Surge Limit Line;

CompressorPressure
Ratio (CPR)

Surge Limit
Line
105%
100%
98%
80%
65%

Inlet Flow Rate (Qin)

90%

Surge
Flow inside the impeller

P2

P1
Axial thrust

P2 > P1

Surge
Flow inside the impeller

P2
P1 > P2
P1
Axial thrust

Surge
Surge Consequences
Unstable flow and pressure
Damage percentage increases with severity to seals, bearings, impellers and shaft
Increased seal clearances and leakage
Lower efficiency

Antisurge
System

Reduced compressor life

TRIP

Antisurge System
The Antisurge System is composed by:
Antisurge Valve
Instrumentation:

Flow indicator trasmitter

Pressure indicator trasmitter

Electronic controller

Antisurge System
The opening of the Antisurge Valve increases the suction flow moving the operating point along the
speed.
FLOW
PRESSURE
TRANSMITTER TRANSMITTER

PT

PT
COMPRESSOR

ANTISURGE
CONTROL

ANTISURGE VALVE

Compressor Pressure Ratio (CPR)

FT

Surge limit line

(SLL)

PRESSURE
TRANSMITTER

Inlet Flow Rate (Qin)

Antisurge System
Open ASV
4% per minute

Surge Control
Line
Safety Correction
Line

Open ASV
10% per minute
105%

Surge
Protection Line

100%
98%

Surge Limit Line

90%
80%
65%

Fully Open ASV

Hot Gas Bypass

The Hot Gas Bypass Valve is a Safety ON-OFF Valve opened during the TRIP to obtain a fast Bypass
of the GAS.

FLOW
PRESSURE
TRANSMITTER TRANSMITTER

FT

PRESSURE
TRANSMITTER

PT

PT
COMPRESSOR

ANTISURGE
CONTROL

ANTISURGE VALVE

COOLER