{"id":1230,"date":"2011-11-01T06:30:37","date_gmt":"2011-11-01T11:30:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jmcampbell.com\/tip-of-the-month\/?p=1230"},"modified":"2012-10-23T08:21:02","modified_gmt":"2012-10-23T13:21:02","slug":"compressor-calculations-rigorous-using-equation-of-state-vs-shortcut-method","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.jmcampbell.com\/tip-of-the-month\/2011\/11\/compressor-calculations-rigorous-using-equation-of-state-vs-shortcut-method\/","title":{"rendered":"Compressor Calculations: Rigorous Using Equation of State vs Shortcut Method"},"content":{"rendered":"

In this tip of the month (TOTM) we will present the compressor calculations of a case study. We will compare the rigorous method results with the values from the short cut methods. The rigorous method is based on an equation of state like the Soave-Redlich-Kwong (SRK) for calculating the required enthalpies and entropies. The enthalpies and entropies are used to determine the power requirement and the discharge temperatures. \u00a0The results indicate that the accuracy of the shortcut method is sensitive to the value of heat capacity ratio, k<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Power Calculations<\/strong><\/p>\n

The theoretical power requirements are independent of compressor type; the actual power requirements vary with the compressor efficiency. In general the power is calculated by:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

where \u00a0mass flow rate and h<\/em> is specific enthalpy.<\/p>\n

From a calculation viewpoint alone, the power calculation is particularly sensitive to the specification of flow rate, inlet temperature and pressure, and outlet pressure. Gas composition is important but a small error here is less important providing it does not involve the erroneous exclusion of corrosive components. A compressor is going to operate under varying values of the variables affecting its performance. Thus the most difficult part of a compressor calculation is specification of a reasonable range for each variable and not the calculation itself. Reference [1] emphasizes that using a single value for each variable is not the correct way to evaluate a compression system.<\/p>\n

Normally, the thermodynamic calculations are performed for an ideal (reversible process). The results of a reversible process are then adapted to the real world through the use of an efficiency. In the compression process there are three ideal processes that can be visualized: 1) an isothermal process, 2) an isentropic process and 3) a polytropic process. Any one of these processes can be used suitably as a basis for evaluating compression power requirements by either hand or computer calculation. The isothermal process, however, is seldom used as a basis because the normal industrial compression process is not even approximately carried out at constant temperature.<\/p>\n

For an isentropic (reversible and adiabatic) process, equation 1 can be written as:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

and based on the polytropic process:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The isentropic head is calculated by equation 3A:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Similarly, the polytropic head is calculated by equation 3B:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The actual discharge temperature based on the isentropic path is calculated by equation 4A.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The actual discharge temperature based on the polytropic is calculated by equation 4B.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

where \u03b7<\/em> and \u03b7P<\/sub><\/em> are the isentropic (or adiabatic) and polytropic efficiency, respectively, P<\/em>1<\/sub> suction pressure, P<\/em>2<\/sub> discharge pressure, T<\/em>1<\/sub> and T<\/em>2 <\/sub>arethe suction and discharge temperatures, respectively, q<\/em> is gas volume flow rate at standard condition of PS<\/sub><\/em> and T<\/em>S<\/sub>, Z<\/em>a<\/sub> average gas compressibility factor, k<\/em> heat capacity ratio, R<\/em> the gas constant, and n<\/em> is the polytropic path exponent. Equations 1 and 2 are equally correct theoretically. The practical choice depends on the available data, although it is somewhat arbitrary. The power calculation should be made per stage of compression and then summed for all stages connected to a single driver. For general planning purposes the graphical solutions shown in reference [2] produce results comparable to these equations.<\/p>\n

Equation of State (EOS)<\/strong><\/p>\n

The heart of any commercial process flow simulation software is an equation of state. Due to their simplicity and relative accuracy, normally a cubic EOS such as Soave Redlich-Kwong (SRK) [3] or Peng-Robinson [4] is used. These equations are used to calculate phase behavior, enthalpy, and entropy. With proper binary interaction coefficients, the process simulation results of these two equations are practically the same. Therefore, only the SRK was used in this work.<\/p>\n

Step-by-Step Computer Solution<\/strong><\/p>\n

For known gas rate, pressure (P1<\/sub><\/em>), temperature (T1<\/sub><\/em>), and composition at the inlet condition and discharge pressure (P2<\/sub><\/em>\u00ad<\/sub>), computation of compressor power requirement is based on an EOS using a computer and involves two steps:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Determination of the ideal or isentropic (reversible and adiabatic) enthalpy change of the compression process. The ideal work requirement is obtained by multiplying mass rate by the isentropic enthalpy change.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  2. Adjustment of the ideal work requirement for compressor efficiency.
    \nThe step-by-step calculation based an EOS is outlined below.<\/p>\n
      \n
    1. Assume steady state, i.e.\u00a0 \u00a0and the feed composition remain unchanged.<\/li>\n
    2. Assume isentropic process, i.e. adiabatic and reversible<\/li>\n
    3. Calculate enthalpy h1<\/sub>=f(P1<\/sub>, T1<\/sub>, and composition)<\/em> and suction entropy s1<\/sub>=f(P1<\/sub>, T1<\/sub>, and composition)<\/em> at the suction condition by EOS<\/li>\n
    4. For the isentropic process \"\"<\/a>. Note the * represents ideal value.<\/li>\n
    5. Calculate the ideal enthalpy (\"\"<\/a>) at outlet condition for known composition<\/em>, P2<\/sub><\/em> and \"\"<\/a>.<\/li>\n
    6. The ideal work is\u00a0\"\"<\/a><\/li>\n
    7. The actual work is the ideal work divided by efficiency or\u00a0\"\"<\/a><\/li>\n
    8. The actual enthalpy at the outlet condition is calculated by\u00a0\"\"<\/a><\/li>\n
    9. The actual outlet temperature is calculated by EOS for known h2<\/sub><\/em>, P2<\/sub><\/em>, and composition.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      The efficiency of the compressor, and hence, the compression process obviously depends on the method used to evaluate the work requirement. The isentropic efficiency is in the range of 0.70 to 0.90.<\/p>\n

      If the compressor head curve and efficiency curve are provided by the manufacturer, \u00a0the head is determined from the actual gas volume rate at the inlet condition. Second, from the head, the actual work, discharge pressure and finally the discharge temperature are calculated.<\/p>\n

      Case Study<\/strong><\/p>\n

      The gas mixture with the composition shown in Table1 at 105 \u00b0F (40.6 \u00b0C) and 115 Psia (793 kPa) is compressed using a single-stage centrifugal compressor with the polytropic head and efficiency curves shown in Figures 1 and 2 at a speed of 7992 rpm. The total feed gas volumetric flow rate was 101 MMSCFD (2.86×106<\/sup> Sm3<\/sup>\/d).<\/p>\n

      Table 1. Feed gas analysis<\/p>\n

      \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

      \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

      Figure 1. Compressor polytropic head and best efficiency point<\/p>\n

      \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

      Figure 2. Compressor polytropic efficiency<\/p>\n

      Results and Discussions<\/strong><\/p>\n

      SRK (Rigorous Method)<\/em><\/strong>: The feed composition, temperature, pressure, volumetric flow rate at standard condition along with the compressor polytropic head and efficiency curves data were entered into the ProMax\u00a0 software [5] to perform the rigorous calculations based on the SRK EOS. The program calculated polytropic and isentropic efficiencies, heads, compression ratio (discharge pressure), discharge temperature and power. For the actual gas flow rate at the inlet condition, the polytropic efficiency is close to the compressor best efficiency point<\/em> (BEP). The program also calculated the gas relative density, heat capacity ratio (k<\/em>), and polytropic exponent (n<\/em>). These calculated results are presented in the SRK columns of Table 2 (bold numbers with white background).<\/p>\n

      Table 2. Summary of the rigorous and shortcut calculated results<\/p>\n

      \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

      The bold numbers with white background are the calculated values<\/p>\n

      \u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

      Short-1 (Shortcut Method):<\/em><\/strong> In this method, we used equations 2 through 4 to calculate the polytropic and isentropic heads, the discharge temperature and power. We used the ProMax calculated polytropic and isentropic efficiencies, compression ratio (P2<\/sub>\/P1<\/sub><\/em>), heat capacity ratio (k<\/em>) and polytropic exponent (n<\/em>) to calculate head, power, and the discharge temperature. The results are presented in the short-1<\/em> columns of Table 2. Note the short-1<\/em> results (discharge temperature, adiabatic and polytropic heads and power) are very close to the SRK values. The calculated actual discharge temperature by equation 4A (isentropic path: 265.3\u02daF=129.6\u02daC) was slightly lower than by equation 4B (polytropic path: 265.9 \u02daF=129.9 \u02daC).<\/p>\n

      Short-2 (Shortcut Method):<\/em><\/strong> Similar to short-1<\/em> method, we used equations 2 through 4 to calculate the polytropic and isentropic heads, the actual discharge temperature and power. We used only the ProMax calculated values of polytropic efficiency (n<\/em>P<\/sub>), compression ratio (P2<\/sub>\/P1<\/sub><\/em>), and relative density (y<\/em>). The heat capacity ratio (k<\/em>) was estimated by equation 5:<\/p>\n

      \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

      The polytropic exponent (n<\/em>) was estimated by equation 6.<\/p>\n

      \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

      The isentropic (adiabatic) efficiency () was estimated by equation 7.<\/p>\n

      \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

      The results for this method are presented in the short-2<\/em> columns of Table 2. The calculated discharge temperature by equation 4A (isentropic path) was exactly the same as by equation 4B (polytropic). Note the short-2<\/em> results (discharge temperature, adiabatic and polytropic heads and power) are deviated from the SRK values.<\/p>\n

      The results in Table 2 indicate that an increase of 2.2% in k<\/em> (from 1.224 to 1.251) results in power increase of 1.42%. The polytropic exponent (n<\/em>) increased by 3% and isentropic efficiency (\"\"<\/a>) decreased by 0.5 %. The difference in the actual discharge temperatures of the SRK and short-2 values is 17.5 \u02daF (9.7\u02daC).<\/p>\n

      With the exception of actual discharge temperature, these differences between the SRK and short-2 methods results for facilities calculations and planning purposes are negligible. Note that the accuracy of the shortcut method is dependent on the values of k<\/em> and n<\/em>. In Short-1<\/em> method in which we used the k<\/em> and n<\/em> values from the SRK method the results were identical to those of SRK method.<\/p>\n

      To learn more about similar cases and how to minimize operational problems, we suggest attending the John M. Campbell courses; G4 (Gas Conditioning and Processing)<\/a>, and G5 (Gas Conditioning and Processing-Special)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

      John M. Campbell Consulting (JMCC) offers consulting expertise on this subject and many others. For more information about the services JMCC provides, visit our website at\u00a0www.jmcampbellconsulting.com<\/wbr><\/a>, or email your consulting needs to\u00a0consulting@jmcampbell.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

      By Dr. Mahmood Moshfeghian<\/em><\/p>\n

      Reference:<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Maddox, R. N. and L. L. Lilly, \u201cGas conditioning and processing, Volume 3: Advanced Techniques and Applications,\u201d John M. Campbell and Company, 2nd<\/sup> Ed., Norman, Oklahoma, USA, 1990.<\/li>\n
      2. Campbell, J. M., \u201cGas Conditioning and Processing, Vol. 2, the Equipment Modules, 8th<\/sup> Ed., Campbell Petroleum Series, Norman, Oklahoma, 2001<\/li>\n
      3. Soave, G., Chem. Eng. Sci.<\/em>, Vol. 27, pp. 1197-1203, 1972.<\/li>\n
      4. Peng, D. Y., and Robinson, D. B., Ind. Eng. Chem. Fundam.<\/em>, Vol. 15, p. 59, 1976.<\/li>\n
      5. ProMax 3.2, Bryan Research and Engineering, Inc, Bryan, Texas, 2011.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        In this tip of the month (TOTM) we will present the compressor calculations of a case study. We will compare the rigorous method results with the values from the short cut methods. The rigorous method is based on an equation of state like the Soave-Redlich-Kwong (SRK) for calculating the required enthalpies and entropies. The enthalpies […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"coauthors":[15],"class_list":["post-1230","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-gas-processing"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1pQc4-jQ","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.jmcampbell.com\/tip-of-the-month\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1230","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.jmcampbell.com\/tip-of-the-month\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.jmcampbell.com\/tip-of-the-month\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jmcampbell.com\/tip-of-the-month\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jmcampbell.com\/tip-of-the-month\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1230"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.jmcampbell.com\/tip-of-the-month\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1230\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1253,"href":"http:\/\/www.jmcampbell.com\/tip-of-the-month\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1230\/revisions\/1253"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.jmcampbell.com\/tip-of-the-month\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1230"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jmcampbell.com\/tip-of-the-month\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1230"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jmcampbell.com\/tip-of-the-month\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1230"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jmcampbell.com\/tip-of-the-month\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=1230"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}