Reciprocating Compressor Leakage in Suction Valve
Ultrasound waveforms, valve temperatures, and PT/PV diagrams were analyzed to diagnose a gas leak in the suction valve of a reciprocating compressor. The leak was pinpointed to the 1H2S suction valve, causing high temperatures and affecting discharge temperatures.
How to approach the analysis for the diagnosis of leakage in suction valve in reciprocating compressor?...I explain it with the following real case.
• Flow balance 1.19; indicating gas leakage through suction valves or packing box. By analyzing vibration/ultrasound waveforms and valves temperatures, the affected component is precisely determined.
• Recording of ultrasound waveforms: Excitation of the ultrasound waveform of the 1H2S suction valve in the discharge stage, that is, in the area where it must be totally hermetic.
• The PT and PV diagram shows the delay in the start of the discharge stage and the advance of the start of the suction stage.
• The high temperature in the valve 1H2S, has a high temperature delta (16.7°F) relative to homologous valves on the same cylinder.
• Affectation of the discharge temperature of cylinder 1; with attention to the HE side, so the temperature of the HE side exhaust valves is also affected; without implying that they themselves have failured.
• In the thermogram you can see the manifestation of the leak condition through the 1H2S valve in the thermal profile of the cylinder/valves.
I hope you find it useful; any questions or additional information regarding the diagnosis of conditions in reciprocating compressors and internal combustion engines; I will gladly be attentive.
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