Is it necessary to locate one scrubber before the compressor? 1

[xuxuemin]

As we all know, in the process of compression there is often one scrubber before the compressor to eliminate the liquid that affect the function of compressor. But is it necessary? In the project that i am undertaking, transferring crude gas through the pipeline, there is no scrubber before the compressor which is used to boost up pressure.
So one scrubber before copressor or not is depended on the process medium in the pipe or types of compressor(centrifugal/reciprocating)? I need your advices, thank you inadvance!

 

[zdas04]

It is simply a cost/benefit analysis. How much damage can a slug of liquid do? What is the likelihood of getting a slug of liquid? If the answers are "a lot" and "really high" then you need something in front of the compressor. If the answers are "not much" (which you might expect with an oil-flooded screw) and "not very high" then you might want to save the money.

If you were looking for a "Thou Shall ..." then you should be a manufacturing worker instead of an engineer.

David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering

In questions of science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual. Galileo Galilei, Italian Physicist

 

[MortenA]

I would say - it depends. If your gas is say 10 deg C above its dew point at suction conditions (or say 5-20 bar above cricondbar) then a scrubber may not be needed. But you have to consider start-up and other up-set conditions as well). Maybe a filter will be needed if the pipeline has problems with dust or other solids.

 

[LittleInch]

great post zdas04 - concise post with good direction.

Scrubbers when rarely used are often useless when some misty gas or slug of liquid appears and can leak gas via liquid lines, so sometimes all you need is a knock out pot with a level guage.

So yes - it is based on type of compressor and process medium.

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

 

[georgeverghese]

Also check that gas minimum dewpoint at max compressor suction press is at least 5-10degC below minimum ambient temp.