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Centrifugal compressor in stone wall region

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Aug 30, 2012
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What is the effect to a centrifugal compressor if it runs into stone wall for an extended period ?
 
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The stone wall exact location in Compressor map is often unknow by Compressor manufacturers.
Running on this location will generate low frequency vibration which may trip or potentialy damage your Compressor.
These conditions are generally considered less critical then surge conditions.
 
Stonewall means you've hit sonic velocity somewhere in your compressor. That's not a good place to be for wear on that location.

Also stonewall tends to have lower efficiency so if you increase speed to try getting more flow your power could exceed the driver capacity or the whole thing heats up over time.

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Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.
 
Ditto the above replies, but additionally:
1) If you have a multi-section machine, be aware that stonewall in one section may drive one or more of the other sections into surge, which is potentially more damaging. If, for example, you have a 2-section compressor with a fixed outlet pressure, stonewall in section 2 may drive section 1 into surge due to the higher interstage pressure between the two sections. Similarly, stonewall or choke in section 1 could starve section 2 of core flow, thus driving the latter into surge if there is inadequate cold gas recycle to that section
2) Even if the compressor itself is not negatively impacted by operating in stonewall, be aware of potential negative impacts to the ancillary equipment and pipework. For example, downstream pipework velocities may be much higher than design, resulting in noise and possible vibration. A thermowell placed in the discharge line may see excessive vortex shedding, which could cause it to fail. So look at the bigger picture...

Best regards
 
Hadn't realised this one took 6 months to generate a reply....

No wonder the OP has given up.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.
 
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