Centrifugal compressor suction piping

[CaracasEC]

Dear All,
We are one year prior to commissioning of a new Ethylene Cracker Plant. One of the problem that arises during this phase of the project is the cleaning of suction piping of the process gas compressor (charge gas compressor)downstream of the suction filter before the suction flange of the compressor. Is there any standard for the cleaning requirements of the compressor suction pipe? Hoping for your field experiences..thanks in advance..

 

[pmover]

before operating the compressor, install start-up screen/strainer ("witches hat") at flange connection near compressor inlet. the mesh size should be small enough to capture particles that will not damage compressor components or mechanical seals (if applicable). install a DP gauge &/or transmitter across the screen to monitor when operating the unit. screen should be in operation for at least the first 100-hours or by what the compressor mfg recommends. in fact, contact the compressor mfg for mesh size and % flow area of the start-up strainer (witches hat). in some cases, the compressor inlet piping has a flange connection near the compressor inlet solely for this purpose. hope this helps.

good luck!
-pmover

 

[CaracasEC]

Thanks pmover, we have already this start-up screen/strainer, however downstream of the strainer is a suction piping as there is a minimum distance from compressor suction flange. What we are doing right now is a manual brushing of the suction pipe to remove any rust, debris, scale, deposits, weld spatter that could damage compressor internals...

 

[rQuestionEngineering]

Break off the flanges, seal the compressor nozzle and blow with compress air. Inspection with boroscope for non accesible bends.(depends on type of contaminant.

 

[milltir]

Think about first running on nitrogen to both "clean up" the system andtest the system functionality.

 

[CaracasEC]

thnks bayan99 & milltir...