Moisture Content Cause of High Discharge Temperatures?

[chasetexas22]

First time poster here. We have a 2 stage Ajax compressor that takes about 1.3 MMCFD natural gas from 35 psig to 900 psig for the purpose of gas lift in an oil field. The second stage discharge temperature is running about 30 degrees higher than the calculated runs show it should be. The suction temperature is in line with what it should be. We have an identical unit in a separate field running with nearly identical parameters except for the gas is run through a dehy on the discharge side before it is injected down the wells and returned back through the separation system and back into the low pressure suction side of the compressor. We have no issues with our discharge temperatures. Assuming that everything is mechanically sound with the compressor, could a higher moisture content of the gas be causing the high discharge temperature in the second stage (234 psig in, 900 psig out; 130 degF in; 313 degF out) Actual second stage discharge temp is around 340-345 degF.

Thank you!

 

[georgeverghese]

At these flows, would presume this is a recip compressor. Often, high compressor discharge temp on recip machines is due to leaking suction or discharge valves and / or leaking piston rings / or worn out cylinder liners.

 

[chasetexas22]

Appreciate they reply. After checking external temps of the four second stage discharge valve covers, the ones on the pocket end were about 80 degrees hotter than the ones on the head end. The clearance pocket is adjustable, but did not seem to make any difference in temps when adjusting either way. It turns out the ring on the adjustable pocket end was bad. Problem solved!

 

[georgeverghese]

Good - with some cheaper recips, you really are at the mercy of the mechanical maintenance crew.