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Pulsation & Mechanical Vibration Analysis

Successful vibration control essential for plant reliability

Machinery vibration is one of the main causes of damage and equipment failures. Reciprocating compressors are particularly exposed to vibration problems due to the alternating motion of reciprocating masses and shaking forces produced by the pulsating flow waves generated in the piping and vessels by the piston movement.
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CST experience and solution

CST has combined the long-standing experience of its design engineers with advanced and integrated proprietary computational tools, aiming to identify the most efficient and cost-effective solution to any pulsation and vibration problem, both for new units and existing installations.

Our Pulsation and Mechanical Vibration study fully complies with API 618/688. It supports plant designers and end-users from the early stage of a project up to servicing and troubleshooting.

CST has done also field measurements of pressure pulsations in order to validate its calculation methods.

 

Analyser

 

CST solves and identifies the best solution for the following complex technical challenges:

  • Volume bottle sizing and verification
  • Pressure pulsation effects on the plant system, from cylinder valves up to large non-resonant vessel sufficiently far from the compressor, including piping and vessels of the compressor island
  • Shaking forces and pressure drops
  • Optimization of bracketing type and position
  • Small bore connections
  • Cylinder valve dynamic response
  • Compressor capacity and power consumption
  • Acoustic and mechanical resonances.

The CST Pulsation and Mechanical Vibration Study goes far beyond an accurate mathematical calculation but is extended to finding the best solution for the volume of bottles, piping arrangement and support type and position. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Some examples of cst pulsation and mechanical vibration study

HIGH HYPER-COMPRESSOR PIPING VIBRATION

High piping vibrations on a Hyper-compressor was investigated and cured by strain gage measurement, pulsation analysis, orifices insertion and support modification

LDPE HIGH PRESSURE COOLER RUPTURES

Repeated Hyper-compressor interstage cooler dangerous ruptures due to excessive vibrations were cured by FEM study, new support design and reinforced grouting  

MINOR BRANCHES FAILURE

Several ruptures occurred on an Off-Shore Gas Lift Compressor and were cured with new supports and restriction orifices

WELDING RUPTURES ON INLET NOZZLE

Unexpected trips with gas leakages on a HDPE reciprocating compressor were cured with the new supporting structure and restriction orifices

FLOW INDUCED VIBRATIONS IN A PLANT WITH CENTRIFUGAL COMPRESOR

A difficult high flow induced vibration problem due to a Tee junction was overcome with a cost effective solution by Flow modelling, Piping FEM and the appropriate modifications

HIGH VIBRATIONS ON A SCREW COMPRESSOR

High vibration causing continuous compressor shut-downs were solved with an on-site measurement campaign and a pulsation study to eliminate resonance with the first stage passing frequency