WSAT

Compressor
Quiz

EnVision Systems Inc.

EnVision Systems Inc.

2 Shunpike Road, Suite 30
Madison, NJ 07940, USA
Copyright 2002 EnVision Systems Inc.

Version 1.3, July 2002

Table of Contents
Page
1.

Chapter 1: Overview

2.

Chapter 2: Centrifugal Compressor

3.

Chapter 3: Lube and Seal Oil

4.

Chapter 4: Driver Steam Turbine

10

5.

Chapter 5: Compressor Performance

11

6.

Chapter 6: Pre-Startup Operation

14

7.

Chapter 7: Startup Operation

16

8.

Chapter 8: Shutdown Operation

18

9.

Chapter 9: Emergency Shutdown Operation

19

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Chapter 01: Overview

Sub-Chapter 01: Purpose of Compressor
1. The compressors are very common in the petrochemical and the refinery industries. Their main
purpose is to:
a)
b)
c)
d)

Raise the gas pressure

Raise the gas temperature
Discharge the gas at a lower pressure
Cool down the gas

2. The compressor transfers __________ energy to the gas.

a) Light
b) Electrical
c) Mechanical
d) Chemical
Sub-Chapter 02: Applications of Compressor
3. The make-up gas compressor recycles gas within a process.
a) True
b) False
4. __________ are normally used in low temperature applications.
a) Off-Gas compressors
b) Make-Up gas compressors
c) Recycle gas compressors
d) Refrigeration compressors
Sub-Chapter 03: Types of Compressor
5. The two basic types of compressors are:
a) The axial and the centrifugal compressors
b) The positive displacement and the dynamic compressors
c) The rotary and the reciprocating compressors
6. The dynamic compressors are so called because:
a) The gas is compressed by the movement of a piston
b) The gas is discharged by the action of a rotating element
c) The gas is accelerated as it passes through the compressor by the impeller action and
its velocity head is converted to pressure head
7. A centrifugal compressor is a type of:
a) Positive displacement compressor
b) Reciprocating compressor
c) Axial compressor
d) Dynamic compressor
8. A reciprocating compressor is a type of:

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a)
b)
c)
d)

Positive displacement compressor

Rotary compressor
Axial compressor
Dynamic compressor

9. A rotary compressor is a type of:

a)
b)
c)
d)

Positive displacement compressor

Reciprocating compressor
Axial compressor
Dynamic compressor

10. An axial compressor is a type of:

a)
b)
c)
d)

Positive displacement compressor

Reciprocating compressor
Rotary compressor
Dynamic compressor

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Chapter 02: Centrifugal Compressor

Sub-Chapter 01: Introduction
1. A centrifugal compressor unit consists of a compressor, its driver and:
a)
b)
c)
d)

The condensation system

The lube and the seal oil system
The steam generation system
All the above

2. The shaft of the centrifugal compressor is rotated by the:

a)
b)
c)
d)

Compressor lube oil system

Compressor seal oil system
Compressor impeller
Compressor driver

Sub-Chapter 02: Casing

3. The two types of casings for a centrifugal compressor are:
a)
b)
c)
d)

The diagonal and the horizontal split types

The vertical and the diagonal split types
The vertical and the horizontal split types
The vertical and the circular split types

4. The horizontal split casings are used for high pressure systems.
a) True
b) False
5. The vertical split casings are used because they are less susceptible to gas leakage.
a) True
b) False
Sub-Chapter 03: Impeller
6. As the shaft rotates, the force generated by the rotating impeller is __________.
a)
b)
c)
d)

The gravity force

The electrostatic force
The centrifugal force
None of the above

7. As the shaft rotates, the gas is accelerated and the pressure is raised by:
a)
b)
c)
d)

The gas velocity head which is partially converted to high pressure

The reciprocating motion of the gas
The gravity force
None of the above

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Sub-Chapter 04: Shaft and Seals

8. The shaft in a centrifugal compressor can be driven by:
a)
b)
c)
d)

A steam turbine
An electric motor
A gas turbine
Either a, b or c

9. The labyrinth seal is designed to completely seal the shaft of the centrifugal compressor to prevent
gas leak.
a) True
b) False
10. The oil film seal in a centrifugal compressor is used to provide additional protection against gas
leakage.
a) True
b) False
11. For a typical centrifugal compressor, it is common to use the labyrinth seal combined with the oil seal.
a) True
b) False

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Chapter 03: Lube and Seal Oil

Sub-Chapter 01: Introduction
1. The lube oil and the seal oil can be supplied from the same reservoir if:
a) They are of the same viscosity
b) They are at the same temperature
c) The seal oil is not contaminated by the process gas
2. The seal oil lubricates the gears and bearings of the compressor and turbine.
a) True
b) False
Sub-Chapter 02: Lube Oil Reservoir
3. The oil reservoir is equipped with a heater. This is because:
a) The cool oil cannot seal the shaft well
b) The oil temperature is so low that it does not flow smoothly during startup
c) The cool oil may destabilize the lubricating unit operation
4. The oil returning to the oil reservoir may contain flammable gases. To prevent possible fire, the oil
reservoir is:
a)
b)
c)
d)

Equipped with the fire extinguisher

Equipped with the water injection system
Blanketed with an inert gas like nitrogen
Kept cool

Sub-Chapter 03: Lube Oil Pump

5. Though two lube oil pumps are present, only one of them is used for oil circulation during normal
operation. The other backup pump starts automatically when:
a)
b)
c)
d)

The oil pressure in the system drops

The compressed gas pressure becomes too low
A gas leakage is detected
None of the above

6. The lube oil system supplies oil to the seal oil system if the oil becomes contaminated by the gas.
a) True
b) False
Sub-Chapter 04: Lube Oil Cooler
7. An oil cooler is present in the lube oil system. Why is the oil cooler required?
a) In case of hot weather, the oil becomes too hot and hence needs to be cooled.
b) The oil absorbs the heat generated by the bearings of the compressor and turbine and
hence needs to be cooled.
c) The heater in the oil reservoir may heat the oil to high temperatures.
d) None of the above
8. Excessive cooling of lube oil:

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a) Does not have any effect on the oil viscosity

b) Increases the oil viscosity
c) Decreases the oil viscosity
Sub-Chapter 05: Lube Oil Filter
9. The purpose of the oil filter is to:
a)
b)
c)
d)

Reduce the oil pressure

Increase the oil pressure
Eliminate the dirt
All the above

10. When the oil filter is clogged, it leads to __________.

a)
b)
c)
d)

A high differential pressure across the filter

A high differential temperature across the filter
A low differential pressure across the filter
A higher pressure at the outlet of the filter

11. When the oil filter is clogged, __________.

a)
b)
c)
d)

Shutdown the lube and the seal oil system

Bypass the oil filter and clean the oil filter
Place the backup filter in operation and clean the clogged filter
Stop the lube oil circulation to the compressor and the turbine bearings. Continue the seal oil
circulation

Sub-Chapter 06: Lube Oil Supply to Bearings

12. The pressure of lube oil leaving the filter is controlled before it enters the compressor bearings.
a) True
b) False
13. The lube oil flow from the bearings can be checked using:
a)
b)
c)
d)

Sight glass
Lube oil pump discharge pressure
Level in the lube oil tank
All the above

Sub-Chapter 07: Lube Oil Supply to Governor

14. Seal oil is supplied to the turbine governor.
a) True
b) False
15. If the turbine governor oil pressure drops, which of the following may happen?
a) The turbine may trip.
b) To maintain the oil pressure, the spare lube oil pump may start.
c) All the above

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Sub-Chapter 08: Lube Oil Head Tank

16. If the lube oil main pump stops and the backup pump fails to start, the turbine is tripped automatically.
The oil supply to the turbine and the compressor then stops. How is the lubrication achieved?
a)
b)
c)
d)

Lubrication is not required since the compressor and the turbine will soon stop completely.
By emergency manual injection of the lube oil.
The oil in the lube oil head tank supplies the lube oil.
By cooling the bearings with cool air.

17. During normal operation, the lube oil overflows from the head tank and returns to the __________.
a)
b)
c)
d)

Compressor bearings
Turbine bearings
Lube oil reservoir
Seal oil tank

Sub-Chapter 09: Seal Oil Pump

18. The seal oil pumps supply seal oil to the compressor shaft seal.
a) True
b) False
19. The backup seal oil pump starts automatically when:
a)
b)
c)
d)

Seal oil head tank level decreases

Steam flow to the lube oil reservoir is commenced
If the turbine speed decreases
All the above

Sub-Chapter 10: Seal Oil Filter

20. The seal oil filters are present upstream of the seal oil pumps to prevent particles in seal oil from
damaging the seal oil pumps.
a) True
b) False
21. The seal oil forms a __________ film around the seal in the shaft.
a) Thin
b) Thick
Sub-Chapter 11: Seal Oil Head Tank
22. The seal oil head tank is located at an elevation higher than the compressor. This is:
a) To ease the flow of the seal oil to the compressor seal
b) To maintain the pressure difference between the seal oil and the gas
c) To make more ground space available for the other equipment
d) To make the elevation of the seal oil head tank equal to that of the lube oil head tank
23. The seal oil pressure must be __________ the pressure of the process gas.
a) Greater than
b) Lower than

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c) Equal to
Sub-Chapter 12: Shaft Sealing
24. It is common to have the oil film together with:
a)
b)
c)
d)

The laboratory seal

The electronic seal
The labyrinth seal
None of the above

25. The gas is sealed along the shaft of the compressor by:
a)
b)
c)
d)

Oil seal
Lube Oil
Labyrinth seal
Both a and c

Sub-Chapter 13: Degassing Tank

26. The seal oil returning to the oil reservoir may contain some gas trapped in it. This trapped gas is
usually eliminated in:
a) The degassing tank
b) The oil filter
c) The seal oil head tank
27. In the degassing tank, nitrogen is normally used as the blowing gas.
a) True
b) False

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Chapter 04: Driver Steam Turbine

Sub-Chapter 01: Introduction
1. If the water availability is scarce, the compressor shaft is more likely to be driven by __________.
a)
b)
c)
d)

A steam turbine
A gas turbine
A gasoline engine
Compressed air

2. In a steam turbine, the steam is expanded from a high pressure to a low pressure. The low pressure
is usually created by:
a)
b)
c)
d)

The surface condenser

The vacuum pump
The air suction pump
None of the above

3. The surface condenser serves to:

a) Condense steam from the turbine to generate vacuum
b) Condense the process gas at the surface of the compressor
c) Supply condensed steam for heating the process gas
Sub-Chapter 02: Main Steam Valve
4. The turbine speed is controlled by the main steam valve during normal operation.
a) True
b) False
5. The steam turbine is operated by regulating:
a) The main steam valve only
b) The governor control valve only
c) The main steam valve during startup and the governor control valve after the shaft
speed exceeds a certain point
Sub-Chapter 03: Speed Control and Governor
6. A fine adjustment of the turbine shaft control is achieved by:
a)
b)
c)
d)

The main steam valve

The surface condenser cooling rate
The governor
None of the above

7. The speed at which the turbine operates is controlled by the governor.

a) True
b) False

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Chapter 05: Compressor Performance

Sub-Chapter 01: Performance Curves
1. The work done to compress the gas __________ as the flow rate of the gas increases.
a) Increases
b) Decreases
c) Does not change
2. The compressor efficiency always increases as the gas flow increases.
a) True
b) False
3. The compressor discharge pressure __________ as the gas flow decreases.
a) Decreases
b) Increases
c) Stays the same
4. The gas flow rate and the discharge pressure change as the shaft speed changes.
a) True
b) False
5. The compressor performance curve is universal for all gases for a given shaft speed.
a) True
b) False
6. For a given gas, the compressor performance curve is not affected by the gas density.
a) True
b) False
Sub-Chapter 02: Surge Phenomenon
7. If the discharge valve is closed partially, the discharge pressure of the compressor:
a) Increases
b) Decreases
c) Does not change
8. The surging of the compressor is more likely to occur when:
a)
b)
c)
d)

The gas flow rate through the compressor becomes extremely high
The gas temperature is very high
The gas flow rate through the compressor becomes very low
The inlet gas pressure is very high

9. The compressor surging results in a very unstable operation. However, it can be tolerated in certain
cases during normal operation.
a) True
b) False

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10. The surging of the compressor may occur even at a constant gas flow rate when the gas density:
a) Increases
b) Decreases
11. What should be the steps taken to minimize the occurrence of surging?
a) Operate the compressor away from the surge line during normal operation.
b) Use the compressor which does not surge.
c) Operate the compressor near the surge line during normal operation, but continuously
monitor the operating conditions.
d) All the above
12. A typical anti-surging scheme for a compressor is __________ as the operating point approaches the
surge area.
a) To increase the compressor speed
b) To trip the compressor
c) To open the valve for the bypass flow so that the gas flow through the compressor
becomes higher
d) To decrease the compressor speed
13. The anti-surge scheme which utilizes bypass flow to maintain sufficient flow through the compressor
is called:
a)
b)
c)
d)

The bypass flow control

The spill back control
The spill forward control
None of the above

14. In the spill back control, it is essential to provide a gas cooler because:
a) The gas temperature increases significantly during surging
b) The gas pressure increases to a much higher value when a spill back control is applied
c) The suction gas temperature may continue to increase
Sub-Chapter 03: Compressor Heating and Cooling
15. When a gas is compressed in a compressor, the gas temperature:
a) Increases
b) Decreases
c) Does not change
16. In a multistage compressor, it is common to provide a gas cooler between two consecutive stages.
a) True
b) False
17. A multistage compressor is used when:
a) The required pressure head is very large
b) The compressed gas is inert
c) The compressed gas is toxic
d) All the above
18. If a single stage compressor is used when the required pressure rise is very large, __________.

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a) The temperature rise becomes too large

b) The compressor casing and impeller may be damaged
c) The force exerted on various parts of the compressor are large leading to shorter equipment
life
d) All the above

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Chapter 06: Pre-Startup Operation

Sub-Chapter 01: Lube Oil System-Startup
1. During the pre-startup operation, the compressor should be started before the lube and the seal
oil circulation has commenced.
a) True
b) False
2. The backup pump in the lube oil system is set to start automatically when:
a) The oil pressure in the system falls
b) The temperature of the lube oil increases
c) The level of the lube oil decreases
3. Before starting the circulation of lube oil, the oil level in the oil reservoir must be:
a) Higher than normal
b) Normal
c) Lower than normal
4. The oil pressure required for the governor is __________ the pressure required for the sealing
and the lubrication of the compressor and the turbine.
a) Lower than
b) Higher than
c) Equal to
Sub-Chapter 02: Seal Oil System-Startup
5. During the oil circulation, the lube and the seal oil filters should be inspected to ensure that:
a) No air is trapped inside the filters
b) The differential pressure across the filter is normal
c) Both a and b
6. Maintaining the oil level in the seal oil head tank at the design value is important to:
a) Ensure pressure difference between the seal oil and the gas
b) Avoid damage to the head tank
c) Ensure that the seal oil pressure is the same as that of the lube oil pressure
7. If the seal oil pressure is lower than the gas pressure, what would happen?
a)
b)
c)
d)

The seal oil temperature will increase too high.

The gas temperature will increase too high.
The gas will leak through the seal.
All the above

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Sub-Chapter 03: Compressor System

8. The purging of the compressor casing is done to:
a)
b)
c)
d)

Remove any oxygen that may be present in the casing

Remove inert material from the casing
Introduce oxygen into the casing
Introduce inert gas into the casing

9. During the startup operation of the compressor, the compressor system is pressurized by:
a)
b)
c)
d)

Introducing the inert gas

Heating the compressor system
Opening the suction valve
None of the above

10. The gas must be introduced slowly to the compressor because:

a) There may be an excessive increase in the temperature of the compressor
b) There may be fluctuations of the oil level in the seal oil head tank
c) There may be some condensate trapped in the casing
11. When the oil level in the seal oil head tank fluctuates rapidly, it may indicate gas leak through the
seal.
a) True
b) False
Sub-Chapter 04: Steam Turbine System
12. The turbine seal is achieved by:
a)
b)
c)
d)

The gland steam

The seal oil
The surface condenser
None of the above

13. Loss of cooling water does not affect the operation of surface condenser.
a) True
b) False
14.The cooling water must be introduced to the gland steam condensers for satisfactory
performance of the turbine.
a) True
b) False
15. The air present in the surface and the gland steam condensers is usually removed by:
a)
b)
c)
d)

An ejector
A pump
A turbine
A compressor

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Chapter 07: Startup Operation

Sub-Chapter 01: Warm-Up Operation
1. The compressor is started by:
a) Gradually introducing steam to the turbine
b) Increasing the flow of the gland steam
c) Increasing the flow of the process gas
2. The steam is gradually introduced to the turbine to start the low speed warm-up operation by:
a)
b)
c)
d)

Activating the governor

Slowly starting the ejector
Slowly opening the suction valve of the gas
Slowly opening the main steam valve

Sub-Chapter 02: Increase Speed

3. As the shaft speed increases, the temperatures of the seal oil and the lube oil:
a) Decrease
b) Increase
c) Does not change
4. The critical speed of the turbine may be different from that of the compressor.
a) True
b) False
5. If the shaft speed remains within the critical speed range for a certain period of time, the compressor:
a) Gets completely warmed up
b) Raises the gas pressure to a very high value
c) Begins to vibrate vigorously
6. To avoid equipment damage, the turbine speed should be increased slowly especially within the
critical speed range.
a) True
b) False
7. Where does the main steam leaving the turbine go?
a)
b)
c)
d)

To the ejector
To the gland steam condenser
To the surface condenser
All the above

Sub-Chapter 03: Governor Operation

8. For the compressor system with a spill back control, it is common practice to recycle the entire gas
from the discharge to the compressor suction drum during the initial phase of the startup.
a) True
b) False

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9. Once the main steam valve is fully opened, the shaft speed is controlled by:
a)
b)
c)
d)

The governor
The ejector
The gland steam condenser
The surface condenser

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Chapter 08: Shutdown Operation

Sub-Chapter 01: Stop Turbine
1. During the shutdown operation, as the shaft speed is decreased, there is a possibility that the
compressor and the turbine vibrate vigorously due to resonance.
a) True
b) False
2. During the shutdown operation, the turbine shaft speed is gradually decreased from the normal speed
by:
a) Gradually closing the main steam valve
b) Using the governor control
c) Pushing the turbine trip button
Sub-Chapter 02: Release of Gas
3. After the compressor is shutdown, vent the process gas to atmosphere.
a) True
b) False
4. After the compressor is shutdown, the compressor is purged with:
a)
b)
c)
d)

Nitrogen
Oxygen
Steam
Any of the above

Sub-Chapter 03: Stop Auxiliary Equipment

5. Even after the compressor and the turbine stop completely, the lube oil must continue to circulate in
the system to:
a) Cool down the system parts completely
b) Ensure that the bearing is still lubricated
c) Maintain the warm-up operation
6. The ejectors have to be stopped, as the compressor speed is gradually reduced during shutdown
operation.
a) True
b) False

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Chapter 09: Emergency Shutdown Operation

Sub-Chapter 01: Introduction
1. Loss of utility streams is not a major emergency during normal operation of the compressor. With
some corrective actions, the compressor can still run without utility streams.
a) True
b) False
2. Which among the following requires an emergency shutdown of the compressor unit?
a)
b)
c)
d)

Loss of plant steam

Loss of cooling water
Loss of lube oil flow
All the above

Sub-Chapter 02: Stop Turbine/Compressor

3. In case of an emergency, the turbine and the compressor should be stopped immediately by:
a)
b)
c)
d)

Manually closing the main steam valve

Pushing the turbine trip button
Stopping the supply of the process gas
None of the above

4. During emergency shutdown, after the steam flow to the turbine through the main steam valve has
stopped completely, the gland steam flow will ensure that the compressor keeps running.
a) True
b) False
Sub-Chapter 03: Gas Release from Compressor
5. During the emergency shutdown operation, if the process gas is released rapidly, the oil level in the
seal oil head tank fluctuates. This may result in:
a) The reverse flow of the seal oil to the lube oil system
b) The leakage of the process gas through the seal
c) Rapid increase in the gas temperature
6. If a compressor trip is caused by an abnormal condition in the seal or the lube oil system, the required
action is:
a) To immediately release the gas
b) To close the suction and the discharge valves of the compressor
c) Both a and b
Sub-Chapter 04: Stop Auxiliary Equipment
7. The gland steam valve has to be closed immediately as the first step in emergency shutdown
operation.
a) True
b) False
8. During emergency shutdown operation, before stopping the condensate pump:

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a)
b)
c)
d)

The lube oil flow should be stopped

The seal oil flow should be stopped
The gland steam valve should be closed
The turbine should have reached the critical speed

Sub-Chapter 05: Stop Oil Circulation

9. The seal oil circulation can be stopped before stopping the lube oil circulation.
a) True
b) False
10. Stop cooling water to the lube oil coolers __________.
a)
b)
c)
d)

Before stopping the lube oil circulation

After stopping the lube oil circulation
Before the compressor reaches the critical speed
Before the turbine reaches the critical speed

Copyright 2002 EnVision Systems Inc.