Compressor Principles, Operation and Control
Discover main compressor types, performance curve, surge / stonewall issues, capacity control for different compressor types
41 lessons · 2 h 47 min of video · 3 quizzes
What you will learn
- Dynamic VS positive Displacement Compressors
- When to use more than one stage of a compressor
- Understand compressor performance curves and the effect of gas properties on the curve
- Compressor surge scenario, its effect on the compressor, and how to install anti-surge configuration
- Compressor stonewall phenomenon
- Capacity control of centrifugal compressors
- Positive Displacement compressor control methods
- Applying HYSYS simulation on single stage and multi stage compressor
- Adding compressor curve and analysing how condition changes shall affect the compressor
- Carry out dynamic surge analysis on a compressor
- Lessons
- 41
- Video time
- 2 h 47 min
- Text lessons
- 1
Course content
9 sections · 41 lessons · 2 h 47 min
Introduction
- Introduction1:11
- Pumping liquids vs compressing gases1:41
Compressor Main Types
- Compressor types2:18
- When to use a dynamic or a positive displacement compressor4:52
- Dynamic compressor types1:23
- Positive Displacement compressor types1:55
Compressor scheme
- Using compressor in with more than one stage5:52
Performance Curves
- Compressor performance head2:32
- Adiabatic vs Polytropic behavior2:15
- How to calculate compressor head1:58
- Effect of changes in inlet gas conditions on the compressor3:46
- Quiz 1
- Explaining Compressor efficiency – Adiabatic Efficiency6:58
- Importance of polytropic efficiency for a centrifugal compressor5:22
Main Compressor Operational Issues
- How system resistance affects the compressor performance1:00
- Surge and Stonewall2:04
- Surge scenario2:48
- How to protect the compressor from surge2:09
- Anti-surge Caveats3:59
- Anti surge take off point4:34
- Quiz 2
Dynamic Compressor control
- Dynamic compressor control methods1:41
- Discharge Throttling2:22
- Suction Throttling2:24
- Inlet guide vane angle adjustment0:49
- Controlling speed using variable speed drivers1:45
Simulating Compressor's Operation – Practical Insights
- Adding a Compressor on HYSYS and Analyzing Main Parameters10:56
- Plotting the compressor curve and changing operating points6:15
- Effect of Changes in Gas Molecular Weight on Compressor Performance6:02
- Manipulating Inlet Pressure, Flow and Speed11:35
- Effect of changes in inlet Compressor Temperature8:39
- Compressor Surge Analysis Tool23:30
- Checking Surge with Cooler on Suction5:54
- Simulating Compressor's Operation – Practical Insights10:43
Reciprocating compressor control
- Main reciprocating compressor control methods2:11
- Spill-back or recycle control2:42
- Compressor Cylinder Types5:06
- Step control of a reciprocating compressor4:13
- Variable Speed Control of a reciprocating compressor2:04
- Quiz 3
So what's next?
- Are you ready?
About this course
Compressors are the main equipment used to transfer gases and raise their pressure. In any project that contains compressors, a chemical engineer should be aware of the compressor operation, how its performance is affected, and how to choose its proper control method.
In this course, we shall go through the main compressor concepts a process engineer should be aware of. Grasping these concepts is highly important as they shall affect the whole process design, especially when realizing that compressors are considered expensive equipment, so high care should be considered when dealing with them.
Table of contents
- Difference between the operation of compressors vs that of pumps
- Main compressor types and comparison between them
- Performance curves and different parameters affecting them
- Number of compressor stages
- Compressor surge
- Antisurge system, main considerations and caveats
- Compressor stonewall
- Centrifugal compressors capacity control methods
- Capacity control methods for positive displacement compressors
- Apply compressor simulation example using Aspen HYSYS
- Add compressor curves to simulation model and see effect of different operating parameters
- Dynamic simulation of a compressor using HYSYS surge analysis tool
Learning goals
- Understand compressor different types
- Read compressor performance curves
- Know how much stages are needed for a compressor
- Understand compressor operation issues as surge and stonewall
- Know which control method shall fit the compressor application
Who this course is for
This course is dedicated to a process engineering career.
It focuses on the parameters for optimum compressor selection, predicting compressor performance, and the issues that are faced in compressor operation and how to avoid it.
Your instructor
Mohamad
Process Engineer
Mohamad is a chemical engineer with over 16 years of experience in the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries, particularly in the field of process design engineering. He has worked on projects for various engineering companies. Seeing firsthand the need for practical engineering learning tools, Mohamad began creating online courses and educational content focused on real-world process engineering workflows. He aims to make complex technical concepts approachable through the use of demonstrations, simulations, and practice exercises. Mohamad is passionate about equipping the next generation of engineers with the skills and knowledge to excel in their careers.
Frequently asked questions
Why should I take this course?
As a process engineer seeking to join a career related to a process design career, learning compressor main principles shall help you in your career for sure.
Does this course talk from a theoritical point of view?
This course focuses on the parameters for optimum compressor selection, predicting compressor performance, and the issues that are faced in compressor operation and how to avoid it. So it addresses practical issues. Unlike pumps, detailed activities should always be made by compressor vendors.
Shall the course talk about Compressor mechanical parts?
This course is dedicated to a process engineering career. It shall just go through how some compressor types work and their effect on operation and control. However, mechanical parts are more related to a mechanical engineering career, which is a different domain.
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