This article is about technical requirements of spacing of Spacing of Compressors, Turbines, Expanders, Power Generators in petrochemical plants.
Spacing Requirements of Compressors, Turbines, Expanders, Power Generators
- Compressors within each plant section should be grouped together to localize maintenance efforts. Preferably, each group should be placed near the edge of a road, paved access way, or plot limits. Sufficient clear access should be provided around the compressors for entry of mobile maintenance equipment, and for dismantling compressor components such as pistons, rotors and barrel assemblies. Monorails may be required for platformed compressors for maintenance during operation and shutdowns.
- Compressors, turbines, and power generators installed in buildings should be lined up with approximately a 2 m wide aisle on all sides of the machines. An overhead crane or trolley beam should be installed to service all the machines. A clear height must be maintained for the overhead passage of the crane carrying the largest part from any of the machines in the building.
- An adequate, unobstructed deck space should be provided under the crane runway for placement of parts. The crane rails should extend outside buildings to permit loading or unloading of machinery parts on mobile equipment. The location of the local panels with respect to the machines and the overhead crane system must be taken into consideration when laying out the compressor house. Consideration should be given for job cranes for parallel maintenance on the drive train.
- Elevated centrifugal compressors and turbines with bottom or lower side suction and discharge nozzles normally make the best arrangement for maintenance. This allows all piping to be run below the centerline of machines, keeping areas around and above the machines free and clear for maintenance.
- To determine maintenance clearances and required lifting equipment capacities, vendor data shall be reviewed for specific compressor, turbine, or generator disassembly details and maximum lifting loads.
- Gas compressors over 150 kW and expanders should be separated from other equipment as specified in Tables 1-A and 2-A. Steam or motor-driven gas compressors less than 150 kW can be treated the same as pumps in regard to spacing. All gas compressors should be located at least 15 m away and, if practical, downwind from fired heaters. Do not locate equipment over gas compressors. Suction knockout drums, intercoolers, and intercooler accumulators should be located a sufficient distance from the compressor served to provide clear access for fire fighting and maintenance. Generally spacing of 3.6 m has proven sufficient. Provide access for fire fighting from at least two sides.
Frequently Asked Question
What is the difference between compressor and expander?
A compressor and an expander are opposite devices that are used in different processes. The main difference between a compressor and an expander is their purpose and the direction of flow of the fluid or gas.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eA compressor is a device that is used to increase the pressure of a gas or air by reducing its volume. It works by compressing the gas or air using a piston or rotor. This process increases the pressure of the gas and makes it more suitable for transportation or use in a process. Compressors are commonly used in various industrial applications, including refrigeration, air conditioning, and natural gas processing.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eOn the other hand, an expander is a device that is used to reduce the pressure of a gas or air by increasing its volume. It works in the opposite way of a compressor by expanding the gas or air using a turbine or other means. This process reduces the pressure of the gas and makes it more suitable for use in other processes or for exhaust. Expanders are commonly used in various industrial applications, including power generation and refrigeration.
Can a compressor be used as an expander?
Yes, a compressor can be used as an expander in certain situations. In fact, a compressor and an expander are often considered to be the same type of machine, just operating in reverse.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eIn an ideal world, a compressor takes in a low-pressure gas and compresses it to a higher pressure, while an expander takes in a high-pressure gas and expands it to a lower pressure. However, if a compressor is designed to handle a wide range of flow rates and pressure differentials, it can also be used to expand gas.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eOne example of using a compressor as an expander is in natural gas processing plants. After being compressed, natural gas is cooled, and the liquids are separated out. These liquids can then be expanded through a compressor being used as an expander, which generates electricity to power the rest of the plant.