Pulsation Dampner on Reciprocating Compressor

[planck121]

Hello,
We are facing an issue with one of our standard requirements versus what the vendor has been proposing regarding drain connections on the pulsation dampners on a recip machine. The machine is for hydrogen use and is a 3 stage recip machine with intercoolers with a MP and HP hydrogen supply.

The vendor has provided a drain and vent connection on the suction dampners to address any oil carry over issues or liquid that might condense out of the gas as a result of compressor and cooling. However, the vendor does not see a need to provide drain connections on the discharge dampners. The reasoning being that all liquids will be taken care of at the suction side dampner into each of the stages without damange to the machine. Also, prior to sending the gas at the battery limit there are MP and HP coalesers to knockout any oil out of the gas.

I am not sure why our standard would call out for having drain connections on the discharge dampners. I do not see a reason in my opinoin since dampners are not K/O drums or collection drums to being with and plus any liquid carry over will be addressed at the suction dampners to drain oil/liquid if any in the process stream before it enters subsquent stages.

Could someone provide with any advantage or disadvtage of having drains at the discharge dampners. Given this is a hydrogen serverice I would assume it is best to avoid additional connections. But what does the experience out there dictate.

Thanks in Advance

 

[BigInch]

Every time the system is shut down, line pressure can reduce backfilling the compressor discharge piping with gas from the downstream pipelines. Every time the compressor is shut down and cools off, condensation occurs .... everywhere.

All piping and equipment exposed to potentially wet gas should be sloped and be able to drain to a low point with a drain valve. Can these drain to somewhere else?

I don't recommend changing any company standards, unless you are an expert in your field. Even then it could be risky. IMO your efforts are best spent in ensuring that you get what your specifications called for.


I hate Windowz 8!!!!

 

[dcasto]

Plank, I'm with you. The discharge dampner goes to a cooler then to a suction scrubber on each stage or the final scrubber you mentioned. Those drains are just point where corrosion will get into and fail. They are more trouble than they are worth. Any water that condenses will be swept out through the cooler and into scrubbers I had them removed from our acid gas compressors.