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The centrifugal compressor testing article provides information
Morethan300Articles! about the centrifugal compressor aerodynamic testing,
mechanical running test, impeller overspeed test, casing
inspection and casing hydrostatic testing, impeller and rotor
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dynamic balancing, vibration testing and analysis and gas
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Sky Pumps compressorinspectionprocedureandcorrespondinginspection
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Third Party
Inspection for...
AerodynamicTesting
inspection-for-indus
The centrifugal
BALTECH VP compressor aerodynamic
vibrometer
testing is performed after
Ad BALTECH
completion of the
Reciprocating assembly. The API Std.
Compressor...
617 requires that the
inspection-for-indus
aerodynamic testing
Fan Mechanical being conducted based
Running Test
on the requirements of
inspection-for-indus
ASMEPTC1997.
Factory
Acceptance...
Based on the centrifugal
inspection-for-indus
compressor testing
Centrifugal requirement minimum 5
Compressor...
datapoints including
inspection-for-indus
surgeandchokepointsshallbetaken,andisentropicheadvs.
Vessel Pressure
volumetric flow be plotted. The test shall be repeated for
Testing
different shaft speed, and similarly, the surge points shall be
inspection-for-indus
identified.
Pressure Vessel
RT Test
The plotted aerodynamic performance curve shall be verified
inspection-for-indus
aginstapprovedcompressordatasheetandprocedurestomake
Third Party
sure is meeting the acceptance range for the isentropic head,
Inspection for...
surgepoints,efficiencyandpowerconsumption.
inspection-for-indus

Centrifugal
Compressor...
inspection-for-indus
CentrifugalCompressor
 ASME Impact MechanicalRunningTest
Test...
inspection-for-indus
The mechanical running test is performed after Aerodynamic
performancetest.Inthemechanicalrunningtest,wearetesting
mechanicaloperationofthecompressor.Thetestshallbedone
basedonapprovedtestprocedure.

The centrifugal comressor testing procedure or approved

datasheetshallbeusedforacceptancecriteria.Theteststarts
with minimum speed almost at 1000 rpm to identify any
abnormalissueandthenincreasedto100%ofMCS(maximum
continuousspeed)attherateincrementof10%.

Forexample,iftherotorspeed(MCS)is12000rpm,inthefirst
stagetherotorspeedisbroughtto1200rpmandthenstaysat
this speed for a while and then is increased to the 2400 rpm,
andthisprocesscontinuesuntilreachesto12000rpm.

Forexample,ifthe
rotorspeed(MCS)
is 12000 rpm, in
the first stage the
rotor speed is
brought to 1200
rpm and then
stays at this
speed for a while
and then is
increased to the 2400 rpm, and this process continues until
I will be updating and growing reachesto12000rpm.
thissitewithmoreandmoreof Subsequently, the rotor speed shall be increased to the trip
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speed and run for 15 min. The trip speed is 115% of MCS
speed, and MCS speed is the highest rotor speed which
designedandtestedandcapableofcontinuousoperation.
After this 15 min, the rotor speed is reduced to the 100 MCS
and compressor runs for 4 hours. When the compressor
reached to MCS speed shall run for 30 minutes to get all
variables such as oil temperature, pressure, bearing metal
temperatureandvibrationlevelsstabilized.

fter stabilization, the test technician starts the collection of

measurementsineach10or15minutes.Attheendofthetest,
EnterYour the mechanical running test result is provided in the tabulated
format.
FirstName
(optional) The bearing metal temperature, lube oil temperature and
pressure, seal oil temperature and pressure, cooling water
temperature and pressure, bearing housing vibration, shaft
vibration, and power consumption are the parameters that are
Subscribe
measuredinthemechanicalrunningtest.

As perAPI 617, the job bearings, job vibration probes and job
sealsshallbeusedforthemechanicalrunningtest.

The collected measurements are provided to the inspector at

theendofthetest,anditistheresponsibilityoftheinspectorto
verifythemeasurementaginstacceptancecriteria.

As mentioned the acceptance criteria could be found in the

approved procedure or compressor datasheet. For vibration
acceptancecriteriathetestprocedureorAPI617directlymight
beuseddependingontheprojectspecification.

Duringthemechanicalrunningtest,theinspectorshallmakea
visual inspection and walk around of compressor and make
sure there is no leak from piping joints or compressor
connections,andthereisnoabnormalnoise,etc.

CentrifugalCompressorImpeller
OverspeedTest(SpinTest)
The compressor impeller
overspeeding test is performed
beforerotorassembly.

In the first step, The impeller is

subjected to the thorough
dimensionalinspectionbeforethe
test. The inside diameter (bore),
outside diameter and eye seal
aremeasuredanddocumented.

Inthesecondstep,theimpellermountedinthemachineina
vacuumchamber(toavoidwindage)andthenisrotatedatthe
speed of 115% of the MCS for 1 minutes. The impeller is
subjectedtothestrongcentrifugalforceduringthis1minutes.

In the third Step, a second dimensional inspection shall be

performed and checked against first dimensional inspection.
Thechangeinthedimensionisinevitable,butthechangeshall
bewithintheacceptancerange.

API 617 is not providing

acceptance range and
refers that to the
manufacturer
specification. The
inspector shall review
before and after
dimensional inspection
reports and check that
aginst manufacturer acceptance criteria and make sure the
changeindimensionfallwithinacceptancerange.

In the fourth step, the impeller is subjected to the dye

penetration or magnetic particle test to make sure no crack
developedduringimpelleroverspeedingtest.

CentrifugalCompressorCasing
Inspection
The compressor casing "material test report (MTR)" shall be
reviewed.Thecasingeitherismadebycastingorforging.The
material test report shall be verified aginst assigned ASTM
material standard and make sure the chemical composition,
mechanical properties e.g. tensile strength, yield strength,
elongationandreductionofareaarewithinacceptancerange.
The heat treatment type, holding time and temperature also
shallbeverified.Insomematerialtype,thehardnessvalueshall
be measured by Brinell or Rockwell technique. You should
makesureyoucanlocatethehardnessvalueintheMTR,and
thevalueislessthanmaximumallowedvalue.

The API 617,

contrary to the
API 610 (for
pumps) is not
addressing the
required visual
inspectionandthe
nondestructive
testing amount in
compressor
casing. The amount of the testing depends on the agreement
betweencompressormanufacturerandcustomerbutaddresses
thetestmethodsandacceptancecriteriaforNDEtesting.

You should check approved inspection and test plan to see

what NDE testing being considered for casing inspection and
makesureyoucanlocatethosetestsinthecasingMTR.

API 617 requires the PT test be performed by test method

addressedatASTME165,MTbasedonASTME709,UTbased
on ASTM A609 (casting) and ASTM A388 (forging) and RT
basedonASTME94.

TheabovementionedASTMstandardsarethetestprocedures,
and you can not find acceptance criteria there. The API 617
requires the test interpretation be performed based on ASME
CodeSectionVIIIDiv.1Appendix7(forCasting).Thisappendix
coversallabovetestse.g.PT,MT,RT,andUT.

If you refer to this

appendix, you will
noticethisappendix
insometestsrefers
you to some other
ASTM standards.
The most important
ones are ASTM
E446,ASTM E 186
andASTME280for
RT film
interpretation.

These 3 standards
have adjunct
comparator
radiographs that
shallbeusedinfilm
interpretation. The
RTtechnicianshallmatchtheactualcompressorRTfilmswith
these reference radiographs and decide about acceptability or
unacceptabilityofthefilms.

YoushouldreviewtheNDEtestreportandmakesuretheNDE
tests being interpreted and reported aginst correct assigned
standard.Asyoumightknow,anindicationmightbeadefectin
one standard and be an acceptable imperfection based the
otherstandard.

Theacceptancecriteriaforweldedcomponentssuchasnozzles
andattachmentsarereferencedtoASMESectionVIIIDiv.1UW
51 and 52 for RT and Appendix 6 and 8 for PT and MT and
appendix12forUT.

AftersuccessfulcompletionoftheMaterialTestReportReview
(NDE reports included), you need to witness the hydrostatic
testing.

CasingHydrostaticTesting@
CentrifugalCompressorTesting
The compressor casing shall be subjected to the hydrostatic
testing,similartotheotherrotatingequipmentthecasingshall
betestedat1.5timesofmaximumallowableworkingpressure.

You as inspector or customer representative do not need to

calculate the test pressure. The test pressure should be read
from approved hydrostatic test procedure or approved
compressor datasheet. The test result shall be considered
satisfactory if no leak or seepage observed in 30 minutes
(minimum time that compressor casing shall be under
pressure).

The chloride content shall be less than 50 ppm if the casing

material is
thestainless
steel. The
pressure
gage shall
be
calibrated,
and you
should
verify
calibration
and
expirationdatesonthegagelabelandgagecertificate.

The preferable pressure range gage is two times of the test

pressurebutinnocaseshallbelessthan1.5timesandmore
than4timesofthetestpressure.

GasLeakageTest@Centrifugal
CompressorTesting
Thecentrifugalcompressorgasleakagetestshallbeperformed
aftersuccessfulcompletionofthemechanicalrunningtest.The
compressorshallbepressurizedwithinertgastothemaximum
sealingpressurefor30minutes.Thetestcanbeconsideredas
the last test which is performed in centrifugal compressor
testing.

Thecompressorendseals(contractseals)shallintheinstalled
condition. The compressor shall be subjected to soap water
bubble test. The bubble test can be done based on the
requirementoftheASMESectionVArticle10Leaktesting.

Householddetergentshallnotbeusedforsoapywatersolution.
Thespecificleaktestsolutionshallbepurchasedandusedfor
the test. The test result would be satisfactory if no bubble
developmentobservedfromjoints,connections,etc.

VibrationTest&Analysis@
CentrifugalCompressorTesting
TheAPI617
only
requires the
centrifugal
compressor
vibrationtest
and analysis
being
performedat
shaft
adjacent to
the bearings
duringtheaerodynamicperformancetestandinthemechanical
runningtest.Theproximitorprobeisusedformeasurementand
usuallyishandledby4probes,twoforsuctionbearingsXandY
axisesandtwofordischargebearingsameXandYaxises.
You may also review the Third Party Inspection for Centrifugal
Compressor article which can be considered a inspection
instructionforcentrifugalcompressortestingandinspection.

Youmayalsoneedasamplecentrifugalcompressorinspection
andtestplan.

The following content provides a sample general centrifugal

compressor testing procedure which might be useful. The
acceptance criteria have not been addressed in this test
procedure.Thisisaverybriefandgeneralprocedure.

ApplicableStandards@CentrifugalCompressorTesting

Theapplicablestandardsforcentrifugalcompressortestingare:

APIStandard617CentrifugalCompressorforPetroleum,
ChemicalandGasServiceIndustries
ASMEPTC10PerformanceTestCodeonCompressors
andExhausters
BS EN ISO 51672 Measurement of fluid flow by means
of pressure differential devices inserted in circular cross
sectionconduitsrunningfullPart2:Orificeplates
BSISO5389TurbocompressorsPerformanceTestCode

Required Data for Centrifugal Compressor Mechanical

RunningTest

Followingdataneedtobeextractedforcentrifugalcompressor
testing from design documents, datasheet and operating
manualandtobeavailableduringthetest.
SpecifiedOperatingSpeeds

NormalOperatingSpeed
MinimumOperatingSpeed
MaximumContinuousSpeed
TripSpeed

MaximumShaftVibration

AtMaximumContinuousSpeed
AtTripSpeed

LubeOilData

OilViscosityClass
OilInletTemperature
OilInletPressure
MaximumOilVolumeFlowOfCompressor

ShaftSeals

SealType
SealMedium

Preparation for Centrifugal Compressor Mechanical

RunningTest

Typically a checklist is used to ensure all items are based on

designandactualoperatingcondition.

The following components are used from Centrifugal

CompressorTestingStand(NotContractItems)
 Driveunit(Electricmotor)
Gearbox
Coupling(poss.withadapter)
Intercooler
Oilunit
Processgaspiping
Instruments
Vibrationmonitoringsystem
Dataacquisitionequipment

The following components are used from centrifugal

compressor(original)

Coupling(poss.withadapter)X
Sealgaspanel
Instruments
Shaftvibrationmeasurementequipment

Note:Thecouplingandinstrumentsareusedfrombothsystems
i.e.teststandandoriginalcomponentsofcompressor

CentrifugalCompressorTestingMechanicalRunningTest

The mechanical running test is done with the following

sequence:

1.The speed increase from standstill up to minimum driver

controlspeed.
2.Speed increase in steps of approx. 10% of maximum
continuous speed up to maximum continuous speed
(MCS) under consideration of the lateral natural
 frequencies.
3.Continuations of operation until lube oil and bearing
temperatureshavestabilized.
4.Speedincreasesuptotripspeed.Testrunsfor15minutes
at trip. Babbitt metal temperatures, oil inlet and outlet
temperatures and pressures and the overall oil volume
flow are measured and recorded once. Shaft vibrations
aremeasuredandrecordedonceatallcontactmeasuring
locations.
5.SpeeddecelerationtoMCS.Testrunsfor4hoursatMCS.
Babbitt metal temperatures, oil inlet and outlet
temperatures and pressures and the overall oil volume
flow are measured and recorded in intervals of about 20
minutes. Inlet and outlet temperatures and pressures of
the handled fluid are measured and recorded. Shaft
vibrations are measured and recorded at all existing
measurement points in intervals of about 20 minutes. A
vibration spectra analysis is carried out approximately in
themiddleofthe4hourstestrun.
6.Speedincreaseuptotripspeed.
7.Speeddecelerationtofinalstandstill.

Unfiltered and filtered displacement amplitudes and the

corresponding phase angles will be recorded and plotted vs.
speedduringcoastdown.Bodeplotsduringcoastdown.

After completion of the mechanical running test and after

sufficient coolingdown the compressor will be checked
accordingtotheinspectionandtestplan.

Centrifugal Compressor Testing Vibration Measurements

&Analysis

Shaft vibrations and axial displacements are measured.

Vibration measurements are carried out with the vendor
measuring system. All other necessary instrumentation for
vibration analysis needs to be available by centrifugal
compressorvendors.

For assessment of the allowable amplitudes of the shaft

vibrationsaccordingtodesignthemonitoringsystemsinstalled
intheteststandareused.Forvisualizationandpreparingplots
amobilediagnosticsystemareused.

Run out is determined and recorded. Only these values are

bindingforthemachine.Atlowspeedtheshaftvibrationmonitor
onlyindicatestheslowrollsignal.

If the measured slowrollsignal values during the test run

exceed distinctly the specified run out values, run out are
controlledand,ifnecessary,refurbishedaftercompletionofthe
testrunwithoutrepeatingthetestrun.

RequiredDataforThermodynamicPerformanceTest

Following data need to be extracted from a centrifugal

compressordesignbook,datasheetandoperatingmanualand
tobeavailableforcalculations.

OperatingConditions
 GasType
MassFlow,Wet

Inletconditions

Pressure
Temperature
RelativeHumidity
InletVolume,Wet

DischargeConditions

Pressure
Temperature

Performance

Shaftpoweratcompressorcoupling(incl.losses)
Compressorspeed
Polytropichead
Polytropicefficiency

Similarlythecentrifugalcompressortestingmediumandrelated
operatingparameterneedtobeidentified.N2normallyisused
asthetestmedium.Followingalsoneedbespecified:

TestMeduimInletCondition

Pressure
Temperature
RelativeHumidity
GasConstantXCompressibilityFactor
 InletVolumeFlow,Dry

TestMeduimDischargeCondition

Pressure
Temperature

Performance

GasPower
CompressorSpeed

Centrifugal Compressor Testing Thermodynamic

PerformanceTestProcedure

Before starting the thermodynamic performance test the

compressor is operated for a sufficient period of time at the
calculated test conditions to demonstrate acceptable
mechanicaloperationandstablevaluesofallmeasurements.

All instruments are inspected separately and the measured

variables in identical measuring planes are compared to each
other.

The duration of the test is depending on the time needed to

reach steadystate test conditions.This condition is insured by
steadystatevaluesofpressuresandtemperatures.

An automated data acquisition system is used. The data are

recorded,processedanddisplayedonline.
CentrifugalCompressorTestingMeasuringandAnalysis

Previoustothetestallmeasuringinstrumentsforpressureand
temperature are calibrated. On customer's request the
calibrationcanberedoneafterthetestforoneinstrumenteach
forpressureandtemperatureattheinletanddischargeport.

The inlet and discharge pressures and temperatures are

measuredoncentrifugalcompressortestingonthebasisofthe
applicabledocuments.

ThemassflowismeasuredaccordingtoBSENISO51672

The shaft power will be calculated with the heat balance

method.

Forthemechanicalpowerlossesthedesignvalueisused.

The Reynolds Number correction is done in accordance to

ICAAMC.

MeasuringuncertaintyperBSISO5389

RelatedArticles:

TPIInspectionforReciprocatingCompressor,TPIInspectionfor
Centrifugal Pump, TPI Inspection for Gas Turbine, TPI
Inspection for Steam Turbine, TPI Inspection for Fan and
Blower, Screw Compressor Testing, Centrifugal Pump
Performance Test, Reciprocating Compressor Testing, Fan
MechanicalRunningtest,FanPerformanceTest

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