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What Field Data Is Required for a Reciprocating Compressor?
Learn which reciprocating compressor field measurements are required and recommended for Enalysis, including pressures, temperatures, speed, cylinder configuration, and operating notes.
Consistent and accurate field data is important for generating useful Enalysis reports. For reciprocating compressors, Enalysis uses field measurements together with the compressor model to evaluate performance and equipment health.
This article summarizes the field information identified in Detechtion’s reciprocating compressor field data guidance and explains what each value represents.
What field data is required?
The following dynamic values are identified as mandatory to generate an Enalysis report for a reciprocating compressor:
- Report date and time
- Operator name
- Compressor speed (RPM)
- For each stage: suction temperature, suction pressure, and discharge pressure
- For each cylinder: discharge temperature
Note: If a higher-stage suction pressure is not available, the previous stage discharge pressure can be used, assuming negligible pressure drop between stages.
What additional field data is recommended?
The source guidance identifies the following values as optional but highly recommended when they are available because they can add context and value to the Enalysis report:
- Runtime hours
- Compressor flow or station flow
- Station inlet pressure
- Bypass open position
- Suction control valve open position
- Engine boost or inlet manifold pressure
What general information should I record?
- Operator Name: The name of the person collecting or entering the field data.
- Report Date and Time: The date and time the operating data was captured.
- Hour Meter Reading: The total runtime on the compressor. The source guidance states this can be left blank if it is not available.
- Scheduled Downtime: The number of hours the compressor was offline since the previous field data capture because of a planned event.
- Unscheduled Downtime: The number of hours the compressor was offline since the previous field data capture because of an unplanned event.
How should I record maintenance information?
The field data workflow includes a section for recording preventative maintenance such as an engine overhaul, compressor overhaul, or oil change.
If no applicable maintenance has been completed, the section can be left blank. When maintenance has occurred, record the applicable date and time or the runtime hours since the work was completed.
What running-condition information should I capture?
- Speed (RPM): The current engine or compressor running speed.
- Compressor Flow: The compressor flow from a flow meter. The source guidance instructs users to enter 0 if no flow meter is present.
- Station Inlet Pressure: The pressure upstream of any suction control valve. If an upstream pressure is not available, the Stage 1 suction pressure can be used.
- Turbo Engine Boost: Engine load indicated by turbo intake manifold air pressure or calculated panel load.
- Bypass Control Open (%): The recycle valve percent open. Enter 0 if the valve is fully closed.
- Suction Control Open (%): The suction control valve percent open. Enter 100 if it is fully open and is not restricting flow from the field.
What cylinder configuration information should I verify?
Reciprocating compressor operating data is cylinder specific. The cylinders are listed by stage and throw, and the field data entry includes configuration information that can affect the Enalysis calculations.
- DA: Double-Acting — all valves installed
- SACE: Single-Acting Crank-End — head-end suction valves removed
- SAHE: Single-Acting Head-End — crank-end suction valves removed
- NA: Non-Acting — all suction valves or all valves removed
- HE Pocket Adjustment: the position of the variable volume clearance pocket from fully closed
- Spacers: the number of head-end or crank-end valve spacers installed
How should I capture temperatures?
The source guidance recommends using a digital temperature transmitter when available. If digital transmitters are not installed, an IR temperature gun is preferred over an analogue temperature gauge.
- One suction temperature is required for each stage.
- A discharge temperature is required for each cylinder.
How should I capture pressures?
Suction and discharge pressures are required for each cylinder. Ideally, a suction and discharge pressure reading is taken for each stage.
If a suction pressure is not available for an interstage such as Stage 2 or Stage 3, the previous stage discharge pressure can be entered, assuming negligible pressure drop between stages.
What should I include in Operator Notes?
Use Operator Notes to record additional information that may be relevant to the compressor or the field data set. The source guidance states that these comments are entered into the Operator Log in Enalysis and are also included in the body of the Enalysis report email.
What is a pocket adjustment?
A variable volume clearance pocket, or VVCP, can be adjusted to add or remove clearance from the head end of a reciprocating compressor cylinder. As the pocket is opened, more clearance is added and the cylinder becomes increasingly unloaded.
For Enalysis field data, the HE Pocket Adjustment is the distance the pocket is open. When the pocket is fully closed, the pocket adjustment is 0 inches or 0 centimeters.
If the pocket adjustment is unknown, the source guidance recommends determining and documenting the actual open distance during a compressor shutdown. Contact your Detechtion Engineering Account Manager if you need help confirming the correct pocket measurement for the compressor.
Can I use a field data sheet?
Yes. The source guidance states that custom Detechtion Field Data Sheets for active compressors can be downloaded from Enalysis. These sheets can help field personnel collect the required operating information before entering it into the application.