Condensation?? in compressor suction lines
Condensation?? in compressor suction lines
(OP)
We find condensate downstream of the separator ( K.O.Pot)in the suction line even upto the suction snubber. This leads to repeated failures of the machine. Anybody faced/solved such problems?





RE: Condensation?? in compressor suction lines
RE: Condensation?? in compressor suction lines
Regrds,
Bob
RE: Condensation?? in compressor suction lines
in addition to td2k & kbander:
typically, ko drums and/or seperators have a drain system + instrumentation to remove collected condensate. if system has drain system, suggest investigating them and its operation.
also, i trust the surge control piping is connected somewhere upstream of the ko pot/drum. there is the jt effect across the surge valve.
also, is there a mechanical seal system that can potentially allow for liquids to enter the process stream?
-pmover
RE: Condensation?? in compressor suction lines
RE: Condensation?? in compressor suction lines
1. The Reynolds Number at the inlet needs to be above 2,000, but you’ll see better efficiencies closer to 10,000. In general cyclones are more sensitive to the densities of the media than to the pressure differentials.
2. To achieve the highest efficiency (about 95%) you want the discharge pressure of the dirty fluid to equal the discharge pressure of the clean fluid at the top of the separator. You can use whatever combination of piping, valves, orifice plates, whatever in the dirty flow obtain this (assuming that you can with this set-up).
I'm interested to learn what kind of seal and flush plan you are using with this blower. When I hear blower I am used to thinking of packing not a mechanical seal.
RE: Condensation?? in compressor suction lines
When dealing with solids, the particle size that can be separated from the flow is more affected by the density of the solids in the process than changes in pressure.
RE: Condensation?? in compressor suction lines
Anything on liquid cyclone separators?? Anybody??
RE: Condensation?? in compressor suction lines
RE: Condensation?? in compressor suction lines
If the KO pot cannot be modified, have you checked the possibility of making changes at the source of the liquid entrainment, or of adding in-line coalescers available in the market ?
By the way, when making calculations of maximum allowable vertical velocities to reduce entrainment, it is recommended to use the geometric mean of both actual horizontal and vertical velocities, rather than the vertical velocity alone, for comparison, as a safer conservative approach.
RE: Condensation?? in compressor suction lines
Still all of you are talking about gravity separation. How about the centrifugal separation? It is 30 times more than "g".
RE: Condensation?? in compressor suction lines
Some kind of impact or intercept collection may be added ahead of the KO pot to increase size of droplets. Inertial impaction may be effective especially for droplets of less than 1 micron in diameter.
Fibrous (plastic, steel or glass) packings with a large void fraction (up to 99%) are very effective collectors by inertial impaction. Since they may be susceptible to plugging a set of two in parallel could be used to keep the unit running while cleaning or replacing.
There are quite a few in the market and makers would gladly give you advice on the best option for the purpose.
RE: Condensation?? in compressor suction lines
centrifugal force is only 30 times the "g". it's a kind of low. 75 is my magic number.
RE: Condensation?? in compressor suction lines
Is there a coalecer on the N2 line to the mechanical seal?
If so, when was it last replaced? If no one remembers, it is time to do that. I think that most folks reccomend replacing the coalecer every quarter or so.
After talking to a guy in the know, the leakage rates on the GF200 brochure are low....
Josh
RE: Condensation?? in compressor suction lines
Dear unitradingco, Actually, the centrifugal force (V**2/R)is 160 G but When compared with the new large dia gravity KO pot which we tried, the inertial forces dropped due to lower velocities and so in comparison, the ratio was 30. But since we have gone back to the original compact Cyclone separator, the ratio is now back to 160.
There is a small amount of very fine Polymer powder coming with the gas and is likely to choke any fibrous impact collector.Now it is being removed along with the liquid from the bottom of the separator. Annular ring -- like a skirt OR a tray support ring?
Longeron, The Nirogen is from a Liquid Nitrogen vaporiser, situated offsite - so there is no coalescer.
RE: Condensation?? in compressor suction lines
1.TO CHECK THE SEPERATION EFFICIENCY OF THE EQUIPMENT DEALING WITH MOISTURE OR THE LIQUID DROPLETS REMOVAL.
2.INSULATING THE SUCTION LINES AND HEAT TRACING EITHER ELECTRICAL OR STEAM,TO AVOID CONDENSATION OF THE LIQUID ON THE WAY TO COMPRESSOR.
HOPE U WILL ANSWER BACK AND ALSO CONCLUDE AFTER THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED AS THIS WILL BE A LEARNING FOR US ASWELL.
rEGARDS
KHALEEL
RE: Condensation?? in compressor suction lines
RE: Condensation?? in compressor suction lines
The compact cylindrical cyclone separator(CCCS), is just a cylindrical vessel with no internals. The feed inlet is tangential and the vessel dia is double that of inlet nozzle. Inlet dia is 250mm. Feed is Nitrogen gas saturated in hexane( not pure) solvent vapours( Boiling range 65 - 400Deg C)having dissolved low molecular weight polyethylene wax. Flow of gas is around 4000NM3/hr and pressure at exit of vessel is of the order of 300mm H2O. The service is for polyethylene powder conveying from the Drier to Powder Silos.The vessel has LG and Hi level alarms at the bottom. Hope it is detailed enough. Thanks for the interest.
RE: Condensation?? in compressor suction lines
My assumption maybe a shot in the dark, but if you mean with Compact the manufacturer of the cyclone, then you may be happy to know that they are still around.
COMPACT stands for Complete Package Technology
and address of Head Office/Manufacturing Facility is
Complete Package Technology, Ltd.
2887 Parsons Road
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada,T6N 1A3
Phone: (780) 465-4200
Fax: (780) 465-1001
E-Mail: compact@telusplanet.net
They should be able to help you, if they are the orginal manufacturer.
Hope this helps
Krossview/OK
RE: Condensation?? in compressor suction lines