Comprehensive Anti-surge Compressor Control Systems

A Comprehensive Anti-Surge Compressor Control System

Prevent surge, limit recycle losses and maintain process stability.

Flexible and Economical Compressor Control and Protection Capabilities

Compressors operating with very high compression ratios, rapidly changing pressures and flowrates and varying molecular weights require specialized compressor control techniques to prevent surge, limit recycle losses and maintain process stability.

Petrotech’s compressor control solutions provide the user with a wide range of flexible and economical compressor control and protection capabilities. Our multiple algorithms allow us to easily install the most cost effective and technically appropriate ASC solution for a wide variety of compressor process applications and configurations, including side stream flows and variable molecular weight applications.

A Comprehensive Anti-Surge Compressor Control System Consists of Four Primary Parts:

  • Instrumentation and Redundant Hardware

    Instrumentation (i.e., transmitters) sends process measurements such as pressure, flow and temperature to the calibration and control algorithms. Redundancy hardware provides varying levels of redundancy and increased availability
  • Calibration and Surge Detection Algorithms

    The Calibration Algorithm determines where the compressor is operating relative to the surge limit line. Petrotech’s anti-surge control system provides multiple algorithms to best accommodate the compressor’s operating process requirements, the available instrumentation. The Petrotech anti-surge control system includes provisions for variable inlet guide vanes, variable molecular weights, suction or discharge flow measurement and high or low compression ratios. Petrotech’s adaptive surge detection algorithm re-calibrates the position of the surge control line in response to surge events.
  • Control Algorithms

    The Control Algorithm adjusts the final control elements to prevent the operating point from crossing the surge limit line. The Petrotech ASC system control algorithms provide selectable AUTO/MANUAL/SAFE-MANUAL recycle valve control and PURGE/RUNUP/RUNDOWN sequencing coordination. Other features include decoupling responses to speed and process controllers and optional transmitter failure contingency strategies.
  • ASC Final Control Elements

    Final control elements such as recycle or blow-off valves serve as levers on the process or compressor. The final compressor control elements receive output signals from the control algorithm to move the compressor operating point away from the surge limit. A common final control element is a recycle valve with associated control accessories. Petrotech’s model RVAM recycle valve assembly is an example of a final compressor control element specifically intended for use as an anti-surge control, final control element.

Lower Cost of Ownership

Flexibility of controller platforms means a lower cost of ownership by integrating compressor solutions into the user’s preferred controller. No separate proprietary controller is required. For those instances where integrating the controller into a system is not practical or cost effective, Petrotech also provides the same field-proven solutions in a series of stand-alone and add-on products.

 

Available Features:

  • Single and multi-body solutions
  • Performance monitoring and display
  • Capacity control
  • Suction pressure controller
  • Discharge pressure controller
  • Loadshare controller
  • Flow control
  • Surge anticipation and detection
  • Adaptive control
  • Backup high-gain proportional controller
  • Auto/Manual/Safe Manual modes
  • Asymmetrical control
  • Valve gain conforming
  • Recycle transfer control
  • Fallback strategies
  • Power override control

Compressor OEMs

  • Borsig
  • Delaval
  • Elliott Turbo
  • Ingersoll Rand
  • MAN Diesel & Turbo
  • Mafi Trench

  • Nuovo Pignone
  • Siemens
  • Solar
  • Sulzer
  • Worthington
 
Product Bulletins

For More Info on Compressors or Stand-Alone Compressor Controllers, See Petrotech's Literature Library

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