Location of balance drum in a compressor.
Location of balance drum in a compressor.
(OP)
Noted some balance drum are located on the suction end of a compressor, some are on the discharge end of a compressor ? What is the design consideration of locating a balance drum ?





RE: Location of balance drum in a compressor.
Johnny Pellin
RE: Location of balance drum in a compressor.
For a straight-through configuration, the balance drum is on the casing end / discharge side ALWAYS.
The thrust bearing is on the discharge side; in some special cases the thrust bearing can be on suction. This is called reversed flow path. For back to back arrangements, the balance drum is on suction side (of 2nd stage). The thrust bearing is on suction side and that can be either 1st (exceptionally) or 2nd stage.
There is also two stages machine, with inline arrangements which I wont cover here. These are rarely supplied; but it can also have its specifics.