Compressortech2_may2018.pdf

SIEMENS GOES DIGITAL DUISBURG SITE

NEW SEALING ELEMENTS BURCKHARDT TESTS

SAY HELLO TO NEA X NEW BUSINESS UNIT

WWW.COMPRESSORTECH2.COM/SUBSCRIBE

A KHL Group publication

MAY 2018

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

GCA EXPO ROUNDUP ENERPROJECT UNITS FOR NEUTRON ACCELERATOR THE B&S ENTREPRENEURIAL ADVENTURE

IS WHO WE ARE Ariel’s meticulous quality assurance workforce is what makes us the number one authority in natural gas compression.

MAY 2018

SIEMENS GOES DIGITAL DUISBURG SITE

NEW SEALING ELEMENTS BURCKHARDT TESTS

SAY HELLO TO NEA X NEW BUSINESS UNIT

A KHL Group publication

MAY 2018

COMPRESSORtech2 is the premier resource for gas compression news and information.

Product Focus

WWW.COMPRESSORTECH2.COM/SUBSCRIBE

15 Ariel Releases KBK:T Compressor Frames 39 Condition Monitoring Consultants ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

GCA EXPO ROUNDUP ENERPROJECT UNITS FOR NEUTRON ACCELERATOR THE B&S ENTREPRENEURIAL ADVENTURE

CT2 05-2018 Front Cover jb JG.indd 1

20/04/2018 16:28:12

COMPRESSORtech2 (ISSN 1085-2468) Volume 23, No. 4 — Published 10 issues/year (JanuaryFebruary, March, April, May, June, July, AugustSeptember, October, November, December) by KHL Group Americas LLC, 3726 East Ember Glow Way, Phoenix, AZ 85050, USA. Subscription rates are $85.00 per year/$10.00 per copy worldwide. Periodicals postage paid at Waukesha, WI 53186 and at additional mailing offices. Copyright © 2018 KHL Group Americas LLC. All Rights Reserved. Materials protected by U.S. and international copyright laws and treaties. Unauthorized duplication and publication is expressly prohibited. Printed in the USA. Canadian Publication Mail Agreement # 40035419. Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: P.O. Box 456, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6V2, Canada. Email: [email protected]. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Circulation Manager, COMPRESSORtech2, 20855 Watertown Road, Suite 220, Waukesha, WI 53186-1873 USA.

www.compressortech2.com Follow @COMPRESSORtech2 on:

Site Reports 37 Enerproject Stays In The Loop 44 Cold Calculation

21

Conference Review 29 GCA Updated On Best Industry Operating Practices

Featured Articles 21 Siemens Embraces The Digital Way 42 New Material For Sealing Elements

37

TECHcorner 48 Solving Vibration Issues On Recips

Departments 6 Don’t Be Shy To Tell Your Story 9 Report Exposes Russia’s Meddling In U.S. Energy Policy 11 Gas Lines 12 Events & Meetings 27 Prime Movers 35 Media 55 Scheduled Downtime 57 Cornerstones of Compression Bovaird & Seyfang

MEMBER OF …

29

39

44

comment FROM THE EDITOR

EDITORIAL

PUBLICATION STAFF

Publisher: Associate Publisher ................... Mark Thayer Michael J. Brezonick

Don’t Be Shy To Tell Your Story

Senior Editor ................................... DJ Slater

[email protected] Tel: +1 262-754-4112 Associate Editor ........................... Klinton Silvey Cell: +1 262-366-9452 Associate Editor ............................... Jack Burke Senior Editor:

Senior Editor ................. Michael J. Brezonick

Associate Editor ............................Chad Elmore

DJ Slater

Copy Editor ............................... Jerry Karpowicz

[email protected] Senior Editor:

Digital Publishing Manager ........... Paul Damon Advertising Manager .................. Katie Bivens

Jack Burke

Circulation Manager ...................... Sue Smith

[email protected]

Graphic Artist ...........................Brenda Burbach

PRODUCTION Graphic Artist .................................Carla Lemke

Production & Circulation Director: Graphic Artist ............................... Alyssa Loope Saara Rootes PUBLICATION HEADQUARTERS [email protected] 20855 Watertown 220 Production Manager Road, - KHL Suite Group: Waukesha, Ross Dickson Wisconsin 53186-1873 Tel: (262) 754-4100 Fax: (262) 754-4175 [email protected] Production Manager - KHL Americas: CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Brenda Burbach Norm Shade – Cambridge, Ohio [email protected] Mauro Belo Schneider – Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil Design Manager: Patrick Crow – Austin, Texas Jeff Gilbert HOUSTON, USA CIRCULATION

Mark Thayer, Associate Publisher

Subscriptions: Tel: +1 (281) 890-5287 [email protected] 9597 Jones Road #924 Circulation & Data Manager: Houston, TX 77065-4818 Helen Knight [email protected] GERMANY Office Manager: Advertising Manager Lisa Hochkofler, May HydeTel: +49 711 5062 4982 [email protected] Gabriele Dinsel, Advertising Manager SALES Tel: +49 711 3416 7471 Niemöllerstr. Vice President, Sales 9 Ostfildern, Germany Alister 73760 Williams Tel: +1 843 637 4127 UNITED KINGDOM Cell: +1 312-860-6775 Ian Cameron, Regional Manager/Editor [email protected] Linda Cameron, Advertising Manager Katie Bivens Tel: +44 20 31 79 29 79 Regional Sales Manager 40 Premier Avenue Tel: +1 262-754-4130 Ashbourne, Derbyshire, Cell: +1 262-327-4899 DE6 1LH, United Kingdom [email protected] Gabriele Dinsel ITALY Regional Sales Manager Roberta Prandi, Regional Manager/Editor Tel: +49 711 3416 74 71 Tel: +39 0464 014421 [email protected] Via Cerere 18 Linda Cameron 38062 Arco, Italy Regional Sales Manager Tel: +44 20 31 79 29 79 SWEDEN [email protected] Bo Svensson, Field Editor/Business Manager Tel: +46EXECUTIVE 70 2405369 Fax: +46 122 14787 CHIEF OFFICER Dunderbacksvagen 20 James King

Finspong, Sweden CHIEF 612-46 FINANCIAL OFFICER

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JAPAN

Akiyoshi Ojima, Branch Manager PRESIDENT & CHIEF OPERATING Tel: +81 45 624 3502 Fax: +81 45 624 3503 OFFICER 51-16-301 Honmoku Sannotani, Naka-ku Trevor Pease

BY DJ SLATER

I

’ve always been fascinated by the stark differences between being a newspaper reporter and the editor of COMPRESSORtech2. The former is a position I held for four years in a small northern Wisconsin city called Wausau. During my tenure in Wausau, there was never a shortage of phone calls, e-mails or in-person conversations from various people and companies about getting their story in the newspaper. Whenever I followed up on a lead, those sources were quick to return the inquiry. They understood the importance of getting their message in front of as many eyeballs as possible. Yet after years of working at COMPRESSORtech2, it’s still startling to see how that’s sometimes not understood. There are companies that “get it”. They call or send an e-mail with their news and we work cooperatively to get it published online and in print in a timely manner. Everybody wins — the company gets more exposure for its product or news, the readers learn about something new that may help them do their jobs better and we end up with more interesting, newsworthy content. Yet some companies don’t seem to understand this process. They don’t return the phone call or e-mail, even when it’s in response to news they issued. Some worry that talking about a new product will give some advantage to a competitor. And some believe that sharing their news somehow commits them to more. Yes, advertising is important — it’s what keeps the lights on for most publications and the second part of “publishing business” is “business.” But content is the real backbone of any publication. Timely, relevant, interesting editorial is a big part of why anybody picks up a magazine. Providing that will always be Job 1 for any good trade journal. So trust me when I say that I want your news, because I do. It could be as small as a new hire to as large as a new compression product that will change the world. All of it has merit, but we can’t publish what we don’t know. When it comes to the gas compression industry, COMPRESSORtech2 can be your pipeline from your design and engineering departments to your customers. Keep us in the know. Don’t hesitate to send that press release. Ring us up with that tip about the trend you’re seeing in the marketplace. And even though you didn’t exhibit at the trade show to see the press, take a couple of minutes for a walkthrough of that new product on the show floor. Our readers want to know what’s going on in the world of gas compression. Wouldn’t it be great if they saw your story? CT2

Yokohama, 231-0824 Japan

KOREA D. S. Chai, Sales Manager Dongmyung Communications Inc. Tel: +82 2 391 4254 Fax: +82 2 391 4255

KHL GROUP AMERICAS LLC 82 Pyeongchangmunhwa-ro, Jongno-gu 3726 E. Ember Glow Way, Seoul, 03011 Korea Phoenix, AZ 85050 USA KHL GROUP AMERICAS LL e-mail: [email protected]

President & CEO .................... Michael J. Osenga Executive Vice President ....Michael J. Brezonick

DJ Slater senior editor [email protected]

CNGS

Compressed Natural Gas Solution

A new concept combining gas and oil sealing High reduction of gas and oil leakage for your compressor

STASSFURT GERMANY www.stasskol.de

HOUSTON USA SEALING EXPERTS SINCE 1920

MCO-I Pearland Works 14888 Kirby Dr. Houston, Texas 77047 Tel: 1-832-710-4700

www.mhicompressor.com/en

OUR RAPID RESPONSE PROMISE WE PROMISE IMMEDIATE SUPPORT. THEN WE OVER DELIVER.

RESPONSIVE AFTERMARKET SUPPORT FROM OUR ADVANCED FACILITY. When every minute of downtime matters, you need responsive support you can rely on. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has established a world-scale manufacturing and service facility in Pearland, Texas, to provide rapid response for your product’s entire lifecycle. This state-of-the-art facility, Pearland Works, offers 24/7 emergency response for MCO-I machinery and all other manufacturers’ equipment, as well as advanced machine tools, field service, spare parts support and over 50,000 sq. ft. of storage space. www.mhicompressor.com/en

Monitoring Government

Report Exposes Russia’s Meddling in U.S. Energy Policy The Reds subtly helped the Greens oppose pipelines

BY PATRICK CROW f you suspect that Russia nefariously worked to influence the U.S. elections in 2016, you will have little difficulty believing further disclosures in a recent congressional report. The staff of the Science, Space and Technology Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives has alleged Russia has fanned the flames of controversy regarding some American pipeline projects and compressor stations. “This report reveals that Russian agents created and spread propaganda on U.S. social media platforms in an obvious attempt to influence the U.S. energy market,” said committee chairman Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas). “Russia benefits from stirring up controversy about U.S. energy production,” he said. “U.S. energy exports to European countries are increasing, which means they will have less reason to rely upon Russia for their energy needs. This, in turn, will reduce Russia’s influence on Europe to Russia’s detriment and Europe’s benefit. “That’s why Russian agents attempted to manipulate Americans’ opinions about pipelines, fossil fuels, fracking and climate change. The American people deserve to know if what they see on social media is the creation of a foreign power seeking to undermine our domestic energy policy,” Smith said. The report claimed that from 2015-17, Russian sources initiated 9097 posts or tweets on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram regarding U.S. energy policy or a current energy event. During that period, the Internet Research Agency (IRA) had an estimated 4334 accounts on the social media triad. St. Petersburg-based IRA has been described as a “troll farm” that the Kremlin established to propagate propaganda for social and traditional media outlets. The U.S. Justice Department has charged IRA, two other companies and 13 Russian nationals with fraud regarding their activities during the 2016 presidential campaign. The committee report said Twitter’s data shows that

I

Patrick Crow is an Austin, Texas, writer and a former COMPRESSORtech2 editor. He has reported for oil and gas publications since 1967 and has written extensively about energy issues before Congress, federal agencies and the courts.

COMPRESSORtech2

more than 4% of all IRA’s tweets were related to energy or environmental issues, “a significant portion of content when compared to the 8% of IRA tweets that were related to the election in the U.S.” IRA targeted pipelines, hydraulic fracturing, fossil fuels, climate change, oil company profits and other energy issues. Many of the cyber subterfuges encouraged Americans to protest or petition against oil and gas pipeline construction projects, including Dakota Access Pipeline, Keystone XL, Bayou Bridge and Enbridge Line 5. Other U.S. agencies have reported similar transgressions. In January 2017, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released a report accusing Russia of trying to influence the U.S. election. That investigation found “clear evidence that the Kremlin is financing and choreographing anti-fracking propaganda in the U.S.” It said the Kremlinsponsored RT (formerly Russia Today) news agency was behind the mischief. “It is likely reflective of the Russian government’s concern about the impact of fracking and the U.S. natural gas production on the global energy market and the potential challenges” to Russian energy companies, the office said. Last March, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security accused Russia of cyber attacks against nuclear power plants and water and electric systems in 2015. And U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) also issued a study on Russian energy intrigues. The senator serves on the U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe. Cardin’s brief claimed that Russia funneled US$95 million to environmental groups that sought to persuade European governments to ban shale gas exploration or hydraulic fracturing. The report said some green groups had become “useful idiots” in the Kremlin’s campaign to keep the Continent dependent on Russian gas supplies. The House committee report concluded, “Regardless of one’s political or ideological views surrounding U.S. energy policy and climate change, the American people deserve to be free from foreign political interference.” Then it should follow that U.S. pipelines deserve assurances that discourse regarding their projects hasn’t been tainted by foreign interference. CT2 MAY 2018 9

What Makes a Refinery Refined? Reliability and efficiency are everything.

10,000+

MAN turbomachines are installed worldwide. That’s more than 50 in every country in the world

250+

100,000+ continuous working hours of flawless operation: oil-free screw compressors from MAN Diesel & Turbo

years of engineering experience makes innovation a MAN tradition

Compressors Steam Turbines Expanders Machinery Trains Gas Turbines Reactor & Apparatus After Sales The more the global economy develops, the greater the need for efficiency in supplying the energy sources the world relies on. With their legendary reliability, MAN Diesel & Turbo machinery and components are used throughout the refinery and petrochemical industries. Applications range from hydrogen production and recovery to desulfurization, fluid catalytic cracking (FCC), PTA, fertilizer and IGCC. Engineered to the most exacting standards, our axial, screw and centrifugal compressors, steam turbines and reactors are built to ensure maximum availability in even the toughest environments. Find out more at www.mandieselturbo.com

Gas Lines Michigan Leads In Underground Natural Gas Storage Capacity lthough it’s not a major player in production, Michigan has the highest amount of natural gas storage design capacity in the country. But storage is important for Michigan because the state relies heavily on natural gas for winter heating needs and has several major pipelines that connect to Canada and other Midwestern states, including nearby population centers such as Chicago. Depleted production fields have also been converted into storage fields. The EIA has found that relatively little new underground natural gas storage capacity was built in the Lower 48 states in the past four years, however. EIA measures natural gas storage capacity in two ways: design capacity and demonstrated maximum working gas volume (or demonstrated peak). In 2017, design capacity grew by about 1%, and demonstrated peak fell by 1%. Most of the incremental capacity in 2017 came from expansions to existing facilities, and expansions were heavily concentrated in the East region, where natural gas production has grown almost continually since 2009. Several facilities in Ohio and West Virginia likely expanded in 2017 to accommodate increasing levels of natural gas production in the Appalachian Basin. CT2

A

Baker Hughes Rig Count 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 Jan-16

Jan-17 Series2

Jan-18 Series1

Source: Baker Hughes

Henry Hub Natural Gas Spot Price (US$/MMBtu) $5.00 $4.00 $3.00 $2.00 $1.00 Mar-16

Mar-18

Mar-17

Source: EIA

Brent Crude Oil Price (US$/Barrel) $75.00 $65.00 $55.00 $45.00 $35.00 Mar-16

Mar-17

Mar-18

Source: EIA

US Natural Gas Storage (Bcf) 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 January 2018

December Five-Year High

Five-Year Low

Source: EIA

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

COMPRESSORtech2

MAY 2018 11

Events & Meetings Boldface indicates shows and conferences in which COMPRESSORtech2 is participating

APRIL April 29–May 3 Sour Oil & Gas Advanced Technology (SOGAT 2018) Abu Dhabi, UAE +971 2 697 9000 sogat.org

Oslo, Norway asme.org/events/turbo-expo

swenergyinstitute.org June 25–29

June 11–15

World Gas Conference

ACHEMA

Washington D.C. +44 20 7978 0019 wgc2018.com

Frankfurt, Germany + 49 69 7564-750 achema.de

June 26–28

April 30–May 3

Offshore Technology Conference (OTC)

June 12–14

Sensor + Test

Global Petroleum

Houston, Texas +1 (972) 952-9494 2018.otcnet.org

Calgary, Canada +1 (888) 799-2545 globalpetroleumshow.com

Nürnberg, Germany +49 (0) 5033 9639-0 sensor-test.de

MAY

June 19–21

May 22–24

Electrify Europe

Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable

Vienna, Austria +1 (888) 299-8016 electrify-europe.com

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania +1 (412) 372-4301 egcr.org

JUNE June 11–15

ASME Turbo Expo

12 MAY 2018

June 26-28 Sensors Expo & Conference San Jose, California +1 (617) 219-8300 sensorsexpo.com

JULY June 19-21 Southwest Energy Institute Short Course Industry Training Liberal, Kansas +1 (620) 417-1170

July 30-Aug. 1 SGA Operating Conference Tampa, Florida +1 (972) 620-8505 southerngas.org

COMPRESSORtech2

The future of control is in your hands! DE-3000/3000+ and the TE-1000 Integrated Telematics Module for Gas Compressor Package Automation Combining Altronic’s vast experience in control system development and production, with Enbase Technology’s advanced telematics and software engineering, produced a breakthrough automation platform that integrates local and remote engine and compressor control, NPCJMF¼FMEPQFSBUJPOT BOEDPOUSPMSPPNBOBMZUJDT)PX Together, Altronic’s DE-3000/3000+ System plus the add-on/plug-in TE-1000 Telematics Module comprise an innovative gas compressor package platform that provides local, area, and simultaneous longEJTUBODFNPOJUPSJOHBOEDPOUSPMBDDFTTUPUIFTLJE 5IF%&QMBUGPSNJTLOPXOGPSJUTRVBMJUZBOETUBCJMJUZ5IF seamless integration of the TE-1000 Telematics Module extends that wireless functionality and control via its on-board Wi-Fi server to any FOBCMFE1$ UBCMFU PSTNBSUQIPOF"DFMMVMBSPSTBUFMMJUFNPEFNDPOnection offers the same access and control of the DE-3000 system

GSPNWJSUVBMMZBOZXIFSFJOUIFXPSME5IJTJODMVEFTGVMM TZTUFNDPO¼HVSBUJPO TFUQPJOUBEKVTUNFOU BOESFNPUF monitoring via sophisticated telematics and predictive BOBMZUJDT The value of this new approach to gas compressor monitoring and control—one that combines a stable and proven local control with a robust, seamless communiDBUJPOTZTUFN¯JTMJNJUMFTT Please contact the integration team at Altronic or your local Altronic Distributor for further information on how the DE-TE package can deliver a whole new level of value to you and to ZPVSHBTDPNQSFTTPSPQFSBUJPOT

Find a distributor near you at www.altronic-llc.com

For a complete listing of upcoming events, please visit our website at www.compressortech2.com/events/

SEPTEMBER Sept. 11-13 Southwest Energy Institute Short Course Industry Training Liberal, Kansas +1 (620) 417-1170 swenergyinstitute.org Sept. 12–14

EFRC Madrid, Spain recip.org Sept. 17–20 Gastech Exhibition & Conference Barcelona, Spain +44 (0) 203 615 5914 gastechevent.com

Sept. 18–20

Gas Compressor Short Course University of Oklahoma +1 (405) 325-0673 pacs.ou.edu/gas-compressor Sept. 18–20 Power-Gen Asia Jakarta, Indonesia +1 (918) 831-9160 asiapowerweek.com Sept. 30–Oct. 3

Gas Machinery Conference Kansas City, Missouri +1 (972) 620-4026 gmrc.org

OCTOBER

Turbomachinery and Pump Symposium

Oct. 23-24 Black Sea Oil & Gas Bucharest, Romania +44 845 868 8234 globuc.com/blackseaoilgas

Houston, Texas +1 (979) 845-7417 tps.tamu.edu

Oct. 28–30 Syngas Technologies Conference

Sept. 18-20

COMPRESSORtech2

Colorado Springs, Colorado +1 (703) 276-0110 globalsyngas.org

NOVEMBER Nov. 12–15

ADIPEC Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. +971 2 444 4909 adipec.com Nov. 14–16 20th Korea Rotating Machinery Symposium Seoul, South Korea +82-2-579-6271 krmea.or.kr/engmain/main.php +1 (918) 831-9160 asiapowerweek.com

DECEMBER Dec. 4-6

Power-Gen International Orlando, Florida +1-888-299-8016 power-gen.com

MAY 2018 13

GE Power

Working Smarter, Not Harder Join the growing list of operators choosing GE’s Waukesha* VHP* Series Five Engines Featuring: • More power and lower cylinder head temperatures • Improved fuel flexibility increases throughput • Full power to 120° F • Most fuel efficient VHP ever • 4,000-hour oil change and spark plug intervals with ESM*2 controls • Upgrade kits available to bring Series Five performance and benefits to installed engines *Indicates a trademark of the General Electric Company

To learn more about the VHP Series Five visit: gepower.com/S5

Same Hardware. Two Models. Two Ratings L7042GSI S5 Power

L7044GSI S5

1,500 hp

1,900 hp

35 WKI (~2,350 Btu/ft )

55 WKI (~1,350 Btu/ft3)

Altitude Capability

4,800 ft @ 100° F 4,000 ft @ 120° F

5,000 ft @ 100° F 4,200 ft @ 120° F

BSFC (Btu/bhp-hr)

7209

7063

Fuel Derate

3

Fuel consumption presented in accordance with ISO 3046/1 with a tolerance of -0/+5% at maximum rating.

Product Focus

■ The KBK:T frames feature 5 and 6 in (127 to 152.4 mm) strokes and power ranges from 1840 to 5520 bhp (1327 to 5520 kW). They are available in two, four and six throw variations.

Ariel Releases KBK:T Compressor Frames New product features higher horsepower, rod loads BY DJ SLATER riel Corp. has expanded its family of compressors by adding two new frames: the KBK and KBT (KBK:T). The company debuted the new frames in March at the Gas Compressor Association (GCA) Expo & Conference in Galveston, Texas. The KBK:T frames are the latest compressor from the company in nearly five years. In 2013, Ariel released the JGF, a variation of its JGC compressor with a 5 in. (127 mm) stroke, 1400 rpm and 57,000 pound rod load rating, according to the company. Prior to that, Ariel brought its KBZ and KBU compressor frames to the market in 2010. The KBK:T brings Ariel’s KB design features to the company’s midline compressors, which are considered the “heart” of the company’s lineup, said Joe Fernandez, Ariel’s manager of application engineering. Specification wise, the new frames fall between Ariel’s existing JKG:T and

A

JGC:D compressors in terms of gas rod load ratings. New Features Available in two, four and six throws, the KBK:T frames incorporate a variety of new features to meet the needs of the gas compression industry, Ariel said. The frames primary application is gas gathering and rental fleets. With its size and power ratings, the KBK:T frames provide more punch and longer strokes for operators who need the footprint of a JGK:T compressor. “Our JGK:T frames have been a mainstay in the industry for a long time,” Fernandez said, adding that Ariel has started seeing manufacturers uprating their natural gas engines. Customers also expressed their desire to capitalize on these higher power ratings in their JGK:T-sized compressor packages. “There was a need for more capabilities and flexibility from those frames. “The JGK and JGT are the gold standard,” he said. “We enhanced

these frames without giving up their reliability.” The KBK frame features a 6 in. (152.4 mm) stroke, a power range from 1840 to 5520 bhp (1372 to 4116 kW), a 1200 fpm (6.10 m/s) piston speed at its 1200 rpm rating. It is suited for natural gas engines and 1200 rpm motors, according to Ariel. The KBT frame has the same power ratings as the KBK, as well as a 5 in. (127 mm) stroke, 1250 fpm (6.35 m/s) piston speed and 1500 rpm rating. These specifications make it ideal for 1400 rpm engines and 1500 rpm motors, which are typically found outside of the United States, the company said. The KBK:T frames also feature a 92,000 lbs (409,236 N) total rod load; 46,000 lbs (204,618 N) tension rod load; and 50,000 lbs (222,411 N) compression road load. To realize the increases in rod load and power ratings of the KBK:T frames, Ariel’s design engineers thoroughly analyzed and redesigned continued on page 16

COMPRESSORtech2

MAY 2018 15

Product Focus

major components. In 2013, Ariel began extensive fatigue testing of the critical components that would be used on the KBK:T frames, Fernandez said. Five years later, those components feature a design that enhances their stiffness and strength. The crosshead guides have an angled design and through-bolt support fasteners that mirror the same feature of the KB series of compressor frames. The angled design provides greater stiffness and improved stability under higher rod loads, the company said. The piston, piston rods, crossheads and connecting rods have also been redesigned for increased strength.

■ The KBK:T specifications

‘Easy To Work On’ The KBK:T frames also use a new cylinder line that incorporates KTCD cylinder bodies with non-collared 2 in. (51 mm) diameter piston rods. The cylinders also use an uncut ring technology (BTUU style packing rings) and CP valves.

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The AXH manufacturing complex consists of six plants, totaling 559,100 SF on 67 acres.

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16 MAY 2018

Ariel also added a design feature into the KBK:T frames that answers the call of its customers. The company simplified the auxiliary end piping by integrating the frame oil thermostat into the oil filter header. It also adjusted the placement of the pipes to provide improved access for maintenance. “We’ve always taken the approach of making the equipment solid and easy to work on for the guys in the field,” Fernandez said. “A lot of that thinking has gone into what we’ve done with the new frames. We listened to our customers, added more value with the new frames and, in turn, made their lives easier.” Another design feature is the backwards compatibility of select components within the KBK:T frames. Its crossheads, connecting rods and bearings can be used on the JGK:T frames, Fernandez said, which is useful for fleets that already have the JGK:T frames in their lineup and want to add the new frames to the mix. “We made sure these parts were backwards compatible so our customers wouldn’t have to stock two different parts for their frames,” he said. “They will fit in the old and new frames.” The new frames can also accommodate an optional internal torsional vibration damper or auxiliary end flywheel. ELP and dual chain drives come standard. So far, the response to Ariel’s latest frames has been positive, with the company already receiving a handful of orders, Fernandez said. Though it’s early, Fernandez said he anticipates the KBK:T frames will gain the same market acceptance as the JGK and JGT frames. “As we look at our entire lineup, this is the heart of it,” he said. “Where we go from here? We’ll see.” CT2 COMPRESSORtech2

Information for Reliability and Instrumentation Engineers

INTELLIGENT machine monitoring

Calculate the profit:

Return On Investment of Condition Monitoring prognost.com/profit

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Practical Guide: How to select a Condition Monitoring System prognost.com/guide

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Master the challenge: Apply automatic diagnosis to Rotating Equipment prognost.com/challenge

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HYDROGEN COMPRESSION FOR MULTIPLE NEEDS

THE NEA 360° PORTFOLIO TO BOOST HYDROCRACKERS Hydrocrackers comprise the heart of the refinery. Inside the giant reactors, heavy waxy feedstock is converted into lighter products such as jet fuel, kerosene and diesel fuel. Today’s crackers need large quantities of hydrogen to convert high-sulfur material into low-sulfur fuels for vehicles and airplanes under high temperatures of up to 800°C/1,500°F. As hydrocrackers require major invests, reliable equipment such as reciprocating compressor packages are mandatory. The NEA heavy-duty hydrogen compressor is named as the best-in-class solution for hydro- crackers due to its tailor-made design and flexibility in driving high volume flows of up to 100,000 Nm³/h at some hundred bar discharge pressure and up to 30 MW power. As reliability counts, no single installation is left unattended. From start-up to maintenance and professional diagnostics, the service provider NEAC Compressor Service keeps the compressor running. Worldwide, with full life-time support. Authorized OEM supplier for reciprocating compressor lines:

GROUP

HOFER manufactures diaphragm and hydraulically driven piston compressors, and offers high-pressure piping systems with threaded connections. Perfectly tight even under vibrations from hydrocrackers. STASSKOL supplies sealing elements such as intermediate packings as well as guide and piston rings based on in-house materials for lubricated and nonlube hydrogen piston compressors. PEEK materials are ideally suited for high gas pressures and thus high mechanical loads during the hydrocracking process. NEA X connects engineering and digital technology. Its solution provides Condition Management with OEM expertise, transferring intelligent service and diagnostics to tangible values: optimized assets availability, more time to plan right actions, and improving profitability.

NEUMAN & ESSER GROUP www.neuman-esser.com

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Schedule your complete solution with any of our companies:

Axis Mechanical Group 5916 E Sam Houston Pkwy S Houston, TX 77034 PH: 832-449-6485 Email: [email protected] www.axismechgrp.com

Electric Machinery Company 800 Central Avenue NE Minneapolis, Minnesota 55413 PH: 612-247-9232 Email: [email protected] www.electricmachinery.com

S.T. Cotter Turbine Services, Inc. 2167 196th Street East Clearwater, Minnesota 55320 PH: 612-424-5614 Email: [email protected] www.stcotterturbine.com

Siemens Embraces The Digital Way Company’s turbocompressor site optimizing supply chain process with digitialization BY ROBERTA PRANDI

F

or years, Siemens’ operations site in Duisburg, Germany, has been known for its manufacturing and testing capabilities. The site develops and produces turbocompressors and also boasts a mega test center dedicated to large compressor trains. While Siemens will continue to hone these strengths, the company is moving on a path that officials say will thrust the site into the future and help keep it there. Siemens is digitizing its internal processes for the benefit of its associates and customers. According to Siemens, digitalization along the entire value chain will enable the company to develop and manufacture products more efficiently, with higher quality and shorter delivery times. Data are key to delivering customer-focused solutions. The Process The digitalization process in Duisburg includes optimizing engineering with rule-based processes and Art to Port (the path from design into the prodution machine); logistics with full transparency in parts handling and the use of tracking and tracing applications; manufacturing with automatically generated routings and computer numerical control (CNC) programs; as well as testing and the possibility of carrying out remote testing for customers. Marcus Brücherm, general manager of Siemens’ Duisburg operation, said the digitalization activities in Duisburg, said digitalization has been

n Every compressor at the Duisburg, Germany plant has its digital twin before it’s even manufactured. continued on page 22

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n Siemens’ first 3D printed impeller for a single-shaft turbocompressor. already, Wentzel said, “Many tools and processes are already in operation, including: sales configurators with precise solution calculation that are re-usable for downstream engineering and planning processes; integrated cost-calculations and automated resource/ capacity simulation for core-compressor; CAD/CAM and integrated product lifecycle management (PLM); effortless real-time reporting for fast decision making; and digital shop-floor management.”

going on for about two years, but the process is far from completion. A 20-person team handles the digitalization project and is led by Daniel Wentzel, head of Digitization & Operations Support. His team is supported by all Duisburg employees. The Digi Showroom inside the plant’s main building is one example of how the process works. The room showcases the whole seamless computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/ CAM) information data flow, starting with core compressor engineering and ending with shop floor data management. The room serves as a digital gettogether spot for customer visits and employee meetings. Brücher said the room acts as the perfect environment to show specific digitalization working topics and to get feedback in a non-operational surrounding. This approach has changed the traditional management flow. Initially, only management submitted ideas for potential digitalization projects. Now, employees from across the supply chain propose their share of new ideas The use of the Digi Showroom has been so successful that the

Siemens’ digital value chain embraces a product’s entire life, starting with research and development and moving on to sales with digital equipment for calculation and design. company is discussing the possibility of organizing ‘shows’ for employees every six months. “It is hard to call Digitalization a project,” Wentzel said. “Digitalization has so many facets and perspectives of improvement – automatization, data integrity and seamless domain interfaces – that it is not just getting things done project-wise, but rather a philosophy and a cultural change with lots of work streams being orchestrated by the project team. “Sure, there is a dedicated team for Digitalization, but within all the specific domains people contribute and spread the word of this idea,” he said. When asked how much of the project has been implemented

A Value Chain Siemens’ digital value chain embraces a product’s entire life, starting with research and development and moving on to sales with digital equipment for calculation and design, and to engineering with the use of a digital twin. The path leads on through the Siemens Customer Management (SCM) system and to manufacturing and logistics, where location beacons and radio-frequency identification (RFID) tracking are used. When a product is manufactured, the digital value chain moves on to quality processes and testing, with the possibility of remote testing with the customer. The path concludes with project management and service. “We want to deliver a service for remote inspection and test acceptance,” Wentzel said. “This has quite a few benefits as the customer can lower travel expenses and inspections can be much more convenient. “The possibility of visualizing figures and real-time data from the various sensors, beside the camera stream, offers an immersive experience in the test activities,” he said. “The various steps in a test procedure can at times make the planning a bit scrubby, but with remote testing, these time points continued on page 24

22 MAY 2018

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are moved easily and the customer can commit on a short notice, without losing time and resources in postponed process steps.” Savings are obtained with the application of rule-based modeling for Engineering to Order (ETO), which finds application not only in single components, but also in assembly

structures. The result is a fully defined CAD structure that reduces lead time and complexity. One example is the pinion shaft part, where it was possible to achieve a significant reduction in lead time from the part engineering to the customer’s order. “A better lead time focuses on

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n The Siemens’ Duisburg facility in Germany offers tailor-made compressor packages and services.

reduction in process time wherever possible. Early and reliable data improves negotiations with suppliers, allowing for earlier pricing commitments. Some days are saved in delivery time, thanks to improved resource planning,” Wentzel said. “Even the idea of rough machining components earlier than needed and finishing later with more reliable data can improve the decision making in terms of prioritization. Rotating parts are naturally the critical path in production, so many calculations and evaluations have been done especially in that area.” Digital Visualization Siemens implements some tools to support various steps between research and development and aftermarket service, such as augmented reality. Siemens utilizes a digital visualization platform called Hololens, which can be used in the project con-

24 MAY 2018 Sloan_WhenMachinesStop_Mar16_CT.indd 1

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The oil & gas industry remains a traditional environment, Brücher said, and as such, digitalization efforts are still in their early stages.

ception phase to show results to customers, but also on the shop floor to find smart solutions for the handling and positioning of complex and heavy

parts. This improves safety for manufacturing personnel because components that are difficult to handle – such as a 40 ton piece set for machining – can be reproduced in augumented reality to find the optimal solutions for handling, positioning and clamping. Augumented reality is also an interesting tool for aftersale service, where personnel can receive efficient and detailed instructions on the various intervention steps. “Augmented reality (AR) is at its very beginning, but we are already evaluating medium-term developments in order to be prepared,” Wentzel said. “AR can support training purposes, be a guide through assembly processes that are done only twice a year, and can make operators aware of safety issues in the surroundings, such as with hot

pipes, high voltage cables, and so on. It can speed up processes with suppliers saving on travel costs and it can realize new service concepts by being connected with supervisors far away from the site.” Siemens has also built up experience in additive manufacturing, which is being considered and intensely tested as part of the digitalization process for manufacturing and research and development in the Duisburg plant. The ultimate target is to replace part groups or complex parts with components manufactured with additive manufacturing, or for the development work involving more complex parts. At this point, Siemens in Duisburg is working with other plants and external partners. The oil & gas industry remains a traditional environment, Brücher said, and as such, digitalization efforts are still in their early stages. Still, digitailization is vital to improve efficiency at all levels. “The focus of our digitalization project is on customers, touching both the processes for new builds as well as those for aftermarket sales and service,” Brücher said. “Another key area is cost reduction, which can be achieved thanks to a better efficiency in the execution of customers’ projects.” CT2

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Prime Movers L’Orange Rolls-Royce and Woodward, Inc. jointly announced that Woodward will acquire fuel injection specialist L’Orange GmbH, part of Rolls-Royce Power Systems. The agreement includes L’Orange‘s operations in Germany, the United States and China, for an enterprise value of $859 million. L’Orange supplies fuel injection technology for engines in applications such as oil and gas processing, marine power and propulsion systems, power generation and specialapplication vehicles. After the acquisition, L’Orange will be renamed Woodward L’Orange and be integrated into Woodward’s Industrial segment. The transaction has been approved by the boards of directors of both Rolls-Royce and Woodward, as well as the Supervisory Board of Rolls-Royce Power Systems. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the second quarter of 2018, subject to clearance from German antitrust authorities.

Cook Compression The Cook Compression Ellesmere Port, U.K., facility recently recorded 1075 consecutive days without a recordable incident, and 1353 consecutive days without a lost time accident. Over the course of 151,431 exposure hours in 2017, the facility also went without any first aid cases. Phil Avis, HSE and CI manager for the facility, attributes this safety record to the development of a robust safety culture that combines acute awareness of risks and hazards with continued training and investment in the proper protections. Part of Dover Corp., Cook Compression provides engineered solutions to increase reciprocating compressor reliability and performance, offering components, repairs, field mechanical services and turnkey project management.

Alfa Laval Alfa Laval, a global provider of specialized products in heat transfer, separation and fluid handling, has appointed Jo Vanhoren president and CEO. In addition, he was named president of Alfa Laval’s North American cluster, which includes its sales and service organizations in the USA and Canada. Jo is based at the Alfa Laval Jo Vanhoren facility in Richmond, Virginia, USA. Vanhoren joined Alfa Laval in 1991 as a heat exchanger sales engineer for Alfa Laval Benelux. From 1996 through 2006, he held several progressive positions within the Alfa Laval Benelux organization, ultimately becoming charged with sales and marketing of all Alfa Laval products and solutions to the local markets. In 2007, he was named general manager for Alfa Laval’s Air Business Center and in 2012, Vanhoren was appointed managing director of Alfa Laval Iberica (Spain and Portugal) and president of the Southern Europe cluster in 2017, which includes Iberica (Spain, Portugal), France and Northwest Africa, as well as Adriatic (Italy, Greece, Israel, Malta, Monaco).

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GCA Conference Review

n Thompson Speir, sales manager of WellCaddie, explains his company’s remote monitoring services during the Gas Compression Association’s (GCA’s) technology update session.

GCA Updated On Best Industry Operating Practices

Galveston conference briefed on changes affecting compressor operations BY DJ SLATER AND PATRICK CROW

T

he Gas Compressor Association (GCA) returned to basics at its annual Conference and Expo in Galveston, Texas on March 20-23. Eight educational sessions explored some of the problems and challenges facing gas compression companies. David McCoy, director of technical services for Ariel Corp., spoke on the importance of properly mounting and aligning rotating equipment. The talk covered seven essential elements to avoid vibration and pulsation problems. Of the seven, he stressed the significance of having a solid foundation, which encompassed all aspects of the design and soil testing. “It doesn’t matter how well the package is designed,” McCoy said. “If

it doesn’t have a good place to sit, it’s not going to be right.” The other essential elements discussed were skid and baseplate to foundation interface; main bearing bore alignment; equipment mounting to the baseplate; shaft alignment; component and pipe alignment; and spending the time to do a job correctly on the first try. “All too often, the commissioning checks and equipment confirmation is rushed and kind of an afterthought to getting this equipment running reliability for its life,” he said. The proper categories David Lepley, Altronic’s senior vice president, head of business unit applications, provided an overview of

the zoning and classifications as they relate to hazardous environments. He said a hazardous situation always contains three elements –- an ignition source, oxidizer and flammable substance. Combined, those elements can result in an explosion. Lepley discussed the categorization system for classes, divisions and groups, all of which are common designations used in gas compression in North America. He also covered the zone classification system commonly used outside of the United States. Temperature codes, global standards and nationally recognized testing laboratories (NRTLs) were also discussed. After identifying these classifications, Lepley turned to the types of continued on page 32

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MAY 2018 29

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Going digital in the field Alison Mackey, the digital product manager for the reciprocating compression division of Baker Hughes, a GE company, discussed the state of the gas compression industry and the importance of using digital analytical products to monitor critical machinery. Mackey emphasized the impor-

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n Chris Jungers of Alfa Laval ACE discusses the evolution of air-cooled heat exchangers during a technology update session at the GCA Expo & Conference.

tance of these digital assets by sharing data from a recent case study. The study used data from myPlant, a Web-based platform that monitors and diagnoses the performance of gas engines installed in industrial and municipal distributed power projects. In several slides, Mackey said valve failures across several units can cost end-users between US$3000 to $70,000, depending on the frequency of the failures. With connected machinery, capital efficiency and profits improve, as well as operating costs and resource management, Mackey said. Other benefits include knowledge retention and distribution, especially when a senior staff member retires; obtaining a competitive advantage in the marketplace; and automating procedures. Mackey said three factors drive the demand for digital capabilities – aging resources, market downturn and the growing demand for data. Goodbye old school practices Pat Runnels of FW Murphy Production Controls reviewed basic maintenance practices for reciprocating internal combustion engines. He said engine operators face multiple goals. “We want to maximize run time, maintain unit reliability, keep the cost of operations down, and maintain emissions compliance.” Often, he said, companies must be willing to adapt: “The old school COMPRESSORtech2

GCA Conference Review

practices no longer apply.” One example that he gave was preventive versus predictive maintenance. He said predictive maintenance was in vogue 20 years ago, but has faded and most companies stress preventive maintenance now. He said a blend of the two should be considered.

Runnells offered practical operating tips on maintaining catalysts, checking fuel pressure, air/fuel ratio controllers, electronic ignition systems among others. “In all of this, the key is to train your guys in the field to know what to look for.” Also, he said, technicians should observe and gather data. “There’s no

n Product demonstrations, such as this one from Alfa Laval, were plentiful during the GCA Expo & Conference. continued on page 34

GCA Conference Review n More than 425 industry professionals attended the GCA Expo & Conference.

such thing as too much information. But there is such a thing such as not enough information.” Staying in compliance Joe Avila, J-W Power Co.’s health,

safety and the environment manager, updated the conference on compliance with the Occupational Safety and

n Attendees gather on March 20 at a kick-off reception hosted by Ariel Corp. Health Administration’s walking and working surfaces standards as they apply to gas compression. OSHA’s 2017 general WalkingWorking Surfaces rule required personnel fall arrest or ladder safety systems to be installed on new fixed ladders over 24 ft. (7.3 m) by Nov. 19, 2018. Also under the rule, existing fixed ladders longer than 24 ft. (7.3 m) must be equipped with a cage, well, personal fall arrest system or ladder safety system. Operators must replace cages and wells (used as fall protection) with ladder safety or personal fall arrest systems on all fixed ladders by Nov. 18, 2036. “We have to be responsible about these safety measures. What is safest might not always be required by OSHA. On the other hand, although our goal is to make it (the work environment safe), no one wants it to be gold plated,” Avila said. He said simple changes often can solve the problem at hand. For instance, rather than build ladders and walkways to provide access to valves atop machines, operators sometimes can move the valves to ground-level. GCA has scheduled its 2019 annual meeting for March 19-22 in Galveston, Texas. CT2 34 MAY 2018

COMPRESSORtech2

Media The latest literature from companies in the gas compression industry Boss Industries

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Boss Industries has released a brochure outlining its Tycoon series of vapor recovery units (VRU). The Boss GasVantage Rotary Screw VRU are designed to allow tank batteries to comply with U.S. EPA Quad O rulings, according to the company. www.bosscompression.com

A brochure from Summit, a part of Klüber Lubrication, outlines its line of gas compressor lubricants for rotary screw applications. Gas compressor applications are different from typical lubrication applications, according to the company. www.klsummit.com

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A brochure from Bluetick Inc. outlines the company’s digital oilfield automation solutions. Solutions include tank battery monitoring, compressor monitoring and electronic flow meter monitoring. www.bluetickinc.com

The revolutionary Straightflo™ valve is based on the simple principle of moving gas from point A to point B in the most efficient way possible. At the heart of the every valve is the patented module design which provides a direct flow path and more effective flow area. The result is a high efficiency valve which increases compressor performance, and your bottom line.

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SPARTAN ENTERS THE ARENA Solar Turbines’ standardized electric motor drive (EMD) solution, Spartan™, is here. Offering standard compressor packages from 5000 to 30,000 HP and with expansion plans from 1500 to 40,000 HP, Solar delivers the electric compressor solution you need with the exceptional customer service you’ve come to expect from us. Whether you need a turbine or Spartan driver, Solar Turbines is your complete compression solution provider. Visit us at www.solarturbines.com, call +1-619-544-5352 or email [email protected] for more information. ©2018 Solar Turbines Incorporated

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Enerproject Stays In The Loop Company provides refrigeration compression units for Swedish neutron accelerator ■ A helium compressor package by Enerproject

has been installed at the Spallation Source facility used for research on neutron sources in Sweden. The neutron source needs a reliable cooling system, which is operated with helium.

nerproject, a Switzerland-based compressor packager and engineering services provider, completed a gas compression project for the European Spallation Source, a futuristic facility for research on neutron sources under construction in Lund, Sweden. The European Spallation Source’s unique capabilities will include research on materials and life sciences, energy, environmental technology and fundamental physics. The facility will employ advanced reseach tools including what is meant to be the world’s most powerful linear neutron accelerator. The neutron accelerator is designed for generating neutrons for study. This action creates a tremendous amount of energy, which means a massive cooling source is needed. As part of the project’s contract, Enerproject needed to supply the helium refrigeration compression units to feed a cryogenic cold box by Linde Kryotechnick AG. Helium inside the cold box is refrigerated at a temperature of -433°F (-258°C).

E

Continuous Operation The neutron source requires continuous operation to guarantee the reliability of the experiments, which makes the cooling system a crucial element. Enerproject had to concentrate the design of the compressor units with reliability as the most important criteria. “Since helium is a very light gas, in the design of the compressor package, we had to be particularly careful with the materials selected for the connections,” said Vito Notari, general sales manager of Enerproject. The scope of delivery included two gas compressor packages with oil lube systems, water-cooled electric motors and on-skid control cabinet. The two packages did not need particular foundations. COMPRESSORtech2

The two, oil-injected screw compressors are designed for continuous use, delivering 1869 cfm (3000 Nm3/h) at 310.4 psig (21.4 barg). Because the suction pressure is close to 0 psi (0 bar), the driver size is 1.2 MW. “The project also aimed to, and successfully achieved, limiting costs for the operation and maintenance,” Notari said. One of the project’s key requirement for these compressors was related to high availability, as these units have to operate for two years without interruptions. The delivery contract included commissioning and maintenance with 24/7 remote assistance by Enerproject. CT2

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Product Focus ■ Figure 1: Condition Management Cycle, Source: NEA X

Condition Monitoring Consultants Neuman & Esser’s NEA X unit designed to assist operators with asset optimization euman & Esser has created its fourth strategic business unit – NEA X – to tackle the challenges of monitoring and analyzing all aspects of critical machinery to avoid unscheduled downtime. NEA X serves a resource for natural gas operations looking to pair intelligent software offerings with their machinery. In the current gas compression landscape, plant operators are faced with the task of keeping their assets operational and readily available, yet don’t have the resources to effectively supervise and maintain their machinery’s performance. A 2017 study revealed that unplanned downtime of critical machinery costs companies an average of US$260,000 per hour. Neuman & Esser sought to broaden

N

its client services in this area, which is why it created NEA X, with the goal to give plant operators all the condition monitoring prowess they’ll need to optimize the lifecycles of their assets. With proper condition monitoring solutions, potential risks on critical components of a compressor can be unveiled earlier and in higher detail before failure occurs. Sources of failure can be detected with higher accuracy and service teams respond more quickly to avoid unplanned downtimes, Neuman & Esser said. Consistent condition monitoring starts with collecting relevant process data continuously and using it to generate condition indicators to identify a precise picture of the current asset performance, the company said. Intelligent analytics, based on NEA’s knowledge in compressor engineering,

deliver automated notifications in case of risky parameter trends and wearout effects on critical components. This keeps clients informed on their machinery’s health and allows them to take action to prevent costly issues. With NEA X, supply chain management can be enhanced by applying the condition monitoring cycle. Such implementation via NEA X follows a six-step process. Preparation of physical assets Before implementing a condition management strategy, a thorough evaluation of current processes and existing instrumentation of assets is required. NEA X identifies potential gaps to be closed to enable meaningful data analysis. Together with the plant operator, individual targets are developed continued on page 40

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MAY 2018 39

Product Focus ■ Figure 2: Six-Step Path to Condition Management, Source NEA X that support the requested scope of analytics and diagnosis. Depending on these targets, additional sensors and adjustments to the PLC might be necessary to ensure proper performance analyses. Data submission In a pilot phase for one compressor in focus, a machine monitoring system is established. This requires installing an onsite edge device that hosts the NEA X solution to collect and process sensor data in real time and to visualize only the essential performance parameters on a dashboard. Intelligent analytics Building on data processing and visualization, thresholds and rulebased analyses might be introduced that trigger automated notifications

in case of violations. Service teams are brought into a position to use the notifications for machine diagnostics. While non-OEM condition management systems are performing

just on transaction data, NEA X’s solutions integrate initial asset master data. An increasing data history offers accurate identification of operating

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Product Focus into a recommendation to the client regarding identified service requirements. The client, though, makes the final decision on the extent of the necessary maintenance work. Maintenance NEAC Compressor Service fulfills work orders based on the insights

generated from system analyses and results from in-person consulting. NEA X counsels its clients as a partner during the whole process of implementing a tailored condition management strategy, integrates required processes and generates a combination of OEM expertise and service management. CT2

HIGH PRESSURE PERFORMANCE THAT CAN’T BE IMITATED! J-W POWER COMPANY compressors rated at a discharge of 10,000 psig, are just one of the many features in our portfolio of compression products for the oil and gas industry. states of an asset, as well as deviations from an asset’s ideal behavior. Such analyses are possible when more complex algorithms and machine learning are implemented to enable pattern-based anomaly detection. Service Notifications In case of anomalies in performance patterns, threshold violations and risky trend developments, intelligent push-notifications indicate likelihoods for failures on affected components and inform about eventual wear limits. The pilot phase should then be followed by a step-by-step roll out to further assets based on their criticality. Asset criticality also drives the need for sensor equipment to be installed to meet minimum requirements for analysis: The higher the criticality, the better the asset should be equipped. The piloting phase, however, may take time. Algorithms need to be trained to provide stable information. Consulting If requested by the client, NEAC Compressor Service expertise can be added as further element to complete the condition management cycle. NEAC technicians investigate details of automated notifications and provide a diagnosis that feeds COMPRESSORtech2

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MAY 2018 41

Product News

New Material For Sealing Elements

Burckhardt Compression presents new material for use in sealing elements for reciprocating compressors

BY ROBERTA PRANDI

A

new family of materials for sealing elements has been developed by Burckhardt Compression. The Persisto family can cover requirements for a wide variety of gases in oil-lubricated as well as in dry-running environments, Burckhardt said.

The company is testing the materials in five reciprocating compressors used for different applications. The Persisto 850 and Persisto 851 materials are based on an alloy of polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) and polyphenylene sulfide and were specifically developed for

Burckhardt Compression said that the Persisto family can offer superior sealing properties even in complex sealing applications.

n Wear coefficients for Persisto 850 (red), Persisto 851 (gray) and typically used hydrogen sealing materials (blue) in a piston rod sealing in hydrogen with a discharge pressure of 1160 psig (80 barg). 42 MAY 2018

dry-running applications in hydrogen compression and have been tested on a hydrogen compressor. Burckhardt Compression said that in this case, the alloy showed particularly favorable properties for the sealing function, permitting a higher load and reducing creep in comparison to conventional filled PTFE materials. Sealings and rider rings made of Persisto 850 and Persisto 851 showed a good flexibility and good adaptability, the company said. The Persisto family is Burckhardt Compression’s answer to the market requirements for superior sealing in reciprocating compressors. Despite the availability of several high-quality plastic compounds, the company said in many cases these materials have not been developed specifically for compressor use, but have been optimized for several different applications, such as automotive or chemicals, to be cost effective. According to Burckhardt Compression, the requirements for an optimal dry-running material for reciprocating compressors are: favorable tribological properties for minimal friction and low wear; high degree of chemical resistance for use with as many different gases as possible; good mechanical properties to cope with high load parameters; good shape adaptability for optimal sealing; and minimum abrasiveness to avoid counter body wear. These requirements are currently not satisfied by any dry-running material, especially for what regards the compatibility with all gases and gas mixtures, the company said. Also, available materials often are filled COMPRESSORtech2

Product News difference of more than 2900 psig (200 barg) is high: Persisto 851 is used in the pressure range up to 725 psig (50 barg). The wear coefficients of both Persisto materials are reported to be significantly lower than those of conventional polymer blends or carbon- and fiber-filled PTFE grades. Persisto 850 can be used in a wide range of gases and gas mixtures but

is not recommended for compressing oxygen-containing gases. Apart from hydrogen, this new development is meant for applications with various hydrocarbons such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide or ammonia, including boil-off gas. Thanks to its special composition, the atmospheric dew point of the gases can be significantly below -70°C, the company said. CT2

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n Persisto 850 (red), shown in a heterogeneous combination of rings within a Redura Rod Sealing System by Burckhardt Compression. with a proportion of abrasives such as glass fibers or ceramics that can have negative effects on soft counter body materials such as grey cast iron. In some cases, high-temperature polymers offer good mechanical properties but a high elastic modulus, which leads to rigid sealing rings with poor adaptability – an especially negative status in the oil-free gas compression of light gases at high pressures, the company said. Burckhardt Compression said that the Persisto family can offer superior sealing properties even in complex sealing applications, without requiring the use of expensive counter body materials of coating. If the wear compensation of sealing elements is based on shifts in ring components, rather than their elastic/plastic deformation, even high differences in pressure can be realized with Persisto 850 without failure by fracture. According to the company, discharge pressures of more than 4350 psig (300 barg) can be sealed in the oil-free compression of hydrogen. The permissible pressure load for dry-running packings with a pressure

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MAY 2018 43 Summit_EGCR Tag.indd 1

4/5/18 11:14 AM

Site Report

n Dawson Creek, Canada location presented unique challenges to the team for installation and commissioning of equipment in a remote location.

Cold Calculation

Siemens’ Dresser-Rand LNGo-HP takes on frigid Canada

BY JACK BURKE

C

limate extremes take a toll on machinery, so when Siemens’ Dresser-Rand business was brought in to design and implement a natural gas liquefaction system in Dawson Creek, Canada, the company had to account for some brutally cold temperatures. That area in the northwest part of British Columbia regularly sees -40oF (-40oC) in winter, said Michael Walhof, sales director for Distributed LNG Solutions for the Dresser-Rand business. Siemens’ Dresser-Rand business recently commissioned an LNGoHP (high-pressure) micro-scale natural gas liquefaction system for AltaGas Ltd. at the Dawson Creek site. The modular, expandable LNGo technology is designed to enable 44 MAY 2018

efficient installation in demanding environments and will give the Dawson Creek facility a capacity of 30,000 gal. (113,562 L) of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The LNGo technology is designed to monetize stranded gas deposits due to its relatively low capital and operating costs, Siemens said. The micro-scale LNGo solution can be deployed in rough terrain or remote regions, which can eliminate the need to establish a gas pipeline infrastructure or arrange for long-distance trucking of LNG from centralized plants to point of use. It can also function as a decentralized solution where the requisite pipeline infrastructure is lacking, or as an onsite solution to reduce or eliminate flaring of petroleum gas at, for example, oil rigs or

producing gas fields, Siemens said. “Dawson Creek is a harsh environment, it’s really an Arctic environment,” Walhof said. “There are many challenges that have to be overcome when installing a plant in these conditions. Everything from maintaining the proper temperature inside the process building, to the safety of the workers in this environment.”Walhof said he couldn’t go into all the details of the solution (the “secret sauce that we put together”), but he did say Siemens relied heavily on the global project experience within the company and local contractors to execute the project and overcome all of the challenges of the environment. “Our experienced engineering team and project management team COMPRESSORtech2

Site Report modules which include two 1 MW SGE-56SL Siemens gas engines adapted to run on natural gas. The drive motor for feed gas compressor is an 800 hp (597 kW) Siemens low-voltage induction motor. The primary compressor uses a 550 hp (410 kW) Siemens low-voltage induction motor. The system takes pipeline natural

gas and separates it into a feed gas stream and a waste gas stream. The waste gas is used to fuel the Siemens gas engine generator sets which power the LNGo-HP equipment. The feed gas is liquefied in the process to produce LNG. The plant, with a footprint of 26,910 sq. ft. (2500 m2), was deployed directly at the site. continued on page 46

came up with a solution to make the project successful,” Walhof said. “The experience that Siemens brings to the table for projects like this really shows off the difference with the competition.” He said the company is working on a similar application in the Houston, Alaska region. “It has very similar conditions and will have similar solutions to what we did in Dawson Creek.” The scalability of the LNGo system will enable AltaGas to adjust production in line with demand and minimize capital expenditures, Siemens said. The LNGo-HP system also allows users to convert from diesel and other fuels to natural gas, which can result in a reduced carbon footprint, lower operational cost, and market price stability, the company said. Siemens’ scope of supply at Dawson Creek included one LNGoHP system, site civil works, building construction, mechanical and electrical integration, commissioning, startup, and operator training. The LNGo system consists of

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Site Report

n Siemens’ Dresser-Rand business LNGo micro-LNG solution is modularized for speed to market and ease of construction once at site.

AltaGas said it is evaluating the feasibility of building a network of small and medium LNG facilities, known as Regional LNG, to service northern British Columbia, Yukon and Northwest Territories. Facilities

would be in areas where gas supply is economical, abundant, reliable and near transportation access and existing infrastructure owned by AltaGas, its subsidiaries and enduse customers.

Along with being in a demanding climate, the Dawson Creek facility is rather remote, which also played to his company’s strengths, Walhof said. “What drove the project in our

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Site Report n The Dresser-Rand business’ LNGoHP system uses Siemens variable speed motor drivers with Dresser-Rand MOS compression equipment.

direction was the quality that is built into our product, the reputation of Siemens and the DresserRand business and the ability to support a project in that demanding environment and they knew the

company was going to be there to back up the product for many years,” Walhof said. “If it’s down, they need to know that someone is going to respond to get the plant back

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up and running, because it is a remote location.” The Dresser-Rand business had done work with AltaGas in the past, so they are very familiar with the product line, he said. In 2016, the Dresser-Rand business commissioned its first LNGo-LP (low-pressure) micro-scale natural gas liquefaction system at the Ten Man LNG facility in Pennsylvania. There, the LNGo technology has enabled the operator, Frontier Natural Resources, to monetize stranded gas assets at Tenaska Resources LLC’s Mainesburg field, located in the Marcellus shale natural gas field. CT2

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MAY 2018 47

Keeping pulsations in check starts in the earliest stages of a gas compression project

orner

Solving Vibration Issues On Recips

techc

BY COSIMO CARCASCI AND MARCO SACCO Vibrations in rotating equipment

V

ibration is one of the main and more common causes of failure or unscheduled shutdown on rotating equipment. Reciprocating compressors in particular are often affected by vibration issues, since these are inevitably generated by the reciprocating motion and by the pressure pulsations typical of these machines.

Cosimo Carcasci is consultative service leader at Compression Service Technology (CST), Florence, Italy. Contact him at: cosimo.carcasci@ cstfirenze.com. Marco Sacco is package engineering manager at CST. Contact him at: [email protected].

48 MAY 2018 201803CT_A4562_Airtec Filtration_third.indd 1

n Figure 1: Generation of pressure pulsations in a reciprocating compressor

COMPRESSORtech2 1/9/18 2:55 PM

During the detailed engineering phase of each new project, technical countermeasures are generally taken to avoid high levels of vibrations, generated by the socalled “shaking forces”: i.e., adequate foundation design, balancing of forces and couples, volume bottles, orifices and suitable pipe supports. Despite this, vibration problems frequently show up even from the very first machine start-up; in many cases the cause is to be found in not having paid enough attention to the interaction between the compressor and the rest of the system. For the reasons above, the success of the project can be significantly affected by assessments and decisions regarding methods of controlling pulsation and vibration that must be taken right from the earliest stages of detailed engineering, if not, even before, when establishing the purchase specifications. The help of a consultant with experience in this field, who is accountable to the end user, can play a key role. Such a consultant has a comprehensive and unbiased view and has two important tasks: to

ensure the goals of a state-of-theart design and to ensure that critical decisions about efficiency, safety and reliability are made wisely, independently and in the shortest time as possible. Theoretical aspects on pulsations The basic law that links the pressure pulsations, measured at the flange of the compressor and without resonance phenomena, to the flow pulsations (generated by the oscillatory nature of the compressor motion) can be expressed as follow: ΔP/P α ΔQ K/S c Where: ΔP is the pressure pulsation; P is the medium pressure; ΔQ is the flow pulsation; K is the ratio of specific heats; S is the section of the pipe; c is the speed of sound in the actual conditions. To obtain reliable results from the acoustical analysis it is very important to have a deep understanding of gas thermodynamics. Gas properties are dictated by composition, operating temperatures and pressures. The only value on which it is possible to intervene is the

diameter of the piping. The choice of the pipe size can be determined by the average velocity of the gas that has to be achieved, but also by the maximum pulse that is deemed to be admissible at the flanges of the various cylinders. In addition to trying to minimize pressure pulsations directly near the source (the compressor cylinders), it is also important to avoid the geometry of the piping triggering acoustic resonance phenomena. This is a physical condition, as well as the mechanical or electrical resonance, which occurs when a forced oscillating system is subjected to periodical stress, having the same frequency as the system oscillation mode. Typically, this situation causes a significant increase in amplitude of the oscillations, which corresponds to a considerable accumulation of energy within the stressed system that can lead the system itself to destruct. The pressure pulsations can be originated by the compressor flow pulsations, but also by resonance phenomena; in both cases they should be kept as low as possible. In this way it is possible to ensure that the energy contained in the continued on page 50

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MAY 2018 49

pressure pulsations interacts as little as possible with the plant mechanical system, generating less possible vibrations: it is the so-called mechanical response of the system. Furthermore, if the natural frequency of a mechanical part of the plant (whether it is piping, vessels, or support) coincides with an exciting acoustic frequency, a mechanical resonance phenomenon may occur. This situation brings the system to high vibration amplitudes and represents in most of the cases, the cause of cyclical fatigue failure. Case study A few years ago, CST was tasked with evaluating the causes of the problems encountered in an ethylene and hydrocarbons plant, related to two, three-stages reciprocating

n Figure 2: First stage suction piping pulsation spectra compressors. The plant was experiencing high vibrations on many parts of the plant piping, which caused the failure of a few nozzles connected to pressure instruments. During the survey, vibration and dynamic pressure measurements were carried out on the two units. The two compression units were equipped with two different capacity control systems: item A had variable

speed and item B had a suction valve reverse flow control. By means of the vibration measurements, the most critical areas were identified and a comparison was made with the relevant pressure pulsations (representing the exciting forces of the system). These values​ were then compared to the limits calculated according to API 618 standards.

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The compressors were not made to work simultaneously, so no interaction between the systems was accounted, but the two different capacity controls had to be analyzed separately. Therefore, the site tests had to be performed considering both the speed range of compressor A and the reverse flow system of compressor B. A detailed vibration measurements campaign was performed in 10 critical combinations of operating conditions to determine the worst one. Afterward, the pulsations were measured in this condition and compared with the calculated values. Two main areas were found to be subject to the highest vibration values, exceeding the EFRC recommended limits: n First stage common suction piping, just after the separator, which was vibrating at more than 60 mm/s, with a main frequency of 43 Hz, corresponding to the 4th harmonic, mainly when compressor B was running; n Second stage common suction piping, especially on the highest area, which was vibrating at almost 60 mm/s, with a main frequency of 15 Hz, corresponding to the 2nd harmonic, mainly when compressor A was running. After identifying the main areas with high vibrations, a different analysis approach was used for each one, due to the dissimilar nature of the vibration. In the first stage suction piping area, most of the highest vibration were above 43 Hz, therefore at a rather high frequency, considering that the first exciting harmonic was at less than 10 Hz. The pulsation amplitudes at these frequencies are generally low, when the compressor is working at 100% load, but the measured pulsation values revealed quite elevated values even at higher harmonics; Fig. 2 shows

the measured pulsations spectrum and the blue point represent the API618 limit. A further analysis was performed to calculate the generated pressure pulsations at partial loads, when the reverse flow control system was working. The result was that the fourth harmonic generated a pulsation peak at ~75% load (see Fig. 3), which

was the condition with the highest vibrations in this area. Consequently, the insertion of a restriction orifice on of the suction pressure vessel was the recommended solution, as well as some stiffening on the piping, to better counter balance the high pulsations. The interstage piping system was instead vibrating mainly at a

Searching for the BEST solution for your changing conditions? continued on page 53

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MAY 2018 51 ACI_Searching ForSolutions.indd 1

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n Figure 3: generated first-stage pulsations, at different load steps

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n Figure 4: example of elevated piping system

The calculation of the mechanical natural frequency of the main pipe segments was performed using the API688 Fundamental Analytical Method (FAM), which is a first approximation to calculate natural frequencies for most standard piping configurations. It was found that the particular U shape of

an elevated pipe segment had a very low mechanical natural frequency, very close to 10 Hz, mainly due to the distance between supports and to a low stiffness of the beams structure below (see Fig. 5). In this case the solution had to be oriented to mechanically continued on page 54

particular speed of compressor A (regulated by VFD) and the lower frequency of the vibration suggested a different nature of the pulsations, therefore leading also to a different analysis approach. The measured pressure pulsations were aligned with the calculated values at compressor flanges, therefore excluding the possibility of acoustic resonances; moreover, the values were not high compared to API618 limits. Consequently, the problem was believed to be mainly mechanical, which means that the supporting structures were not stiff enough to sustain the shaking forces generated by the pressure pulsations. Elevated piping systems, like the one shown in Fig. 4, can often be susceptible to vibrations, if an adequate mechanical modelling with the relevant mode shape analysis is not performed in the engineering phase. Subsequently, from the analysis of the geometry and the arrangement of the elevated pipes in the plant, possible resonances of a mechanical type, which may occur at the two main excitation frequencies, were investigated. COMPRESSORtech2

MAY 2018 53 SAMR_SmoothRotation.indd 1

4/17/18 9:43 AM

n

Figure 5: elevated pipes subject to high vibrations tion direc Main bration of vi

stiffen the supporting structure of the elevated pipes, so a compromise between low intervention time and effective supports construction was performed and a series of new clamp supports and of reinforcing beams in a few key points was recommended. Conclusions To avoid the occurrence of vibration phenomena, it is necessary that the design phase of reciprocating compressors skids is supported

with particular attention to a proper thermodynamic simulation of the treated gas, to the generated pressure pulsations in all operating conditions (including capacity control) and to a correct design of the supporting system and plant layout. Dealing with vibration problems when the plant and the compressor are installed, almost always requires huge resources in terms of time, investment and production losses. Therefore, it assumes funda-

mental importance dealing with the problem of pulsations and vibrations control already from the early stages of detailed engineering, if not even in the phase of preparation of the material requisition. In this regard, according to guidelines of the new concept, the cooperation of an expert in this field, generally involved directly by the end user, is recommended: the expert has the task of analyzing the new installation in the most comprehensive and impartial manner as possible. He also must ensure that the objectives of a state of the art design are followed, that critical decisions with respect to efficiency, safety and reliability, are taken with awareness, caution and rapidity at the same time. CT2

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Cornerstones Of Compression Rated Power hp (kW)

Rated Speed rpm

Configuration

6 (4.5) to 40 (30) 15 (11) to 50 (37) 4 (3) to 8 (6) unknown

unknown

Horizontal, 4-cycle

unknown

Horizontal, 4-cycle

unknown

Vertical, 4-cycle

unknown

Vertical, 2-cycle

15 (11) to 25 (19) Est. 60 (45)

unknown

Half-Breed, 2-cycle

200

Class AB

4 (3)

350

Class AE Class AJ

40 (30) 20 (15) to 40 (30) 50 (37) 30 (22) to 40 (30)

350 350

Horizontal, 4-cycle enginecompressor Horizontal, 4-cycle enginecompressor Horizontal, 2-cycle Horizontal, 2-cycle Horizontal, 2-cycle Horizontal, 2-cycle

Series Harbison Automatic Class E & Class K Type K Class AA Class N

Class CG Class CJ

250 350

introduced a few years earlier by Blaisdell Machinery Co., also located in Bradford. The B&S Class N was a straightline frame with the four-cycle gas engine and air compressor cylinders on a single-throw. With a 16 in. (406 mm) bore x 22 in. (559 mm) stroke, it produced an estimated 60 hp (45 kW) at 200 rpm. The heads for the 100 psig (6.9 bar) air compressor cylinders were produced by the Laidlaw Division of the Worthington Corp., complete with Laidlaw feather valves. The similar Class AB engine-compressor was developed at the same time. The 4 hp (3 kW), 350 rpm unit was initially developed to provide 200 psig (13.8 bar) starting air for the Class N engine, although it also found its way into plant air applications. The simple design used a single piston for the engine and compressor. The Class AE 40 hp (30 kW), 350 rpm two-cycle 12.5 x 12 in. (317 x 305 mm) special drilling engine was introduced in 1920. By this time, two-cycle engines were becoming widely used in many applications, and they subsequently comprised most of B&S’s production. The Class AJ cometh B&S’ most popular two-cycle gas engine was the Class AJ. Introduced in 1923, it was built in four sizes ranging from 20 to 40 hp (15 to 30 kW) at 350 rpm. All sizes shared the same 14 in. (356 mm) stroke frame design. Power cylinder bores ranged from 10 in. (245 mm) to 12.5 in. (318 mm). A diesel version of this engine, the Class BP, was introduced in the 1930s. When oil companies were forced to buy natural gas due to dwindling supplies, they would often have their gas COMPRESSORtech2

Power Cylinder Bore in. (mm)

Stroke in. (mm)

Year Introduced

6.5 (165) to 14.5 (368) unknown

10 (254) to 20 (508) unknown

1897

5 (127) to 7 (178) 8.5 (216) to 10.5 (267) unknown

8 (203) to 10 (254) 12 (305) to 14 (356) unknown

1908 c.1910

16 (406)

22 (559)

1919

5.5 (140)

7 (178)

1919

12.5 (318) 10 (245) to 12.5 (318) 13 (330) 11 (279) to 12.5 (318)

12 (305) 14 (356)

1920 1923

16 (406) 14 (356)

1934 1938

1899

1913

■ Many different Bovaird & Seyfang engine and enginecompressor models were introduced over a four-decade period. Production ended in the early 1950s. supplies curtailed in the winter when gas was used for heating. When that happened, the gas engine could be converted to the diesel configuration for winter and then converted back to gas in the spring. The AJ was popular among independent producers because of its simplicity and lower price than other engines. The 50 hp (37 kW), 250 rpm Class CG was designed in 1934 to meet the need for a larger and heavier engine. This 13 x 16 in. (330 x 406 mm) gas engine was more sophisticated than other B&S engines, having an all-iron crankcase with a bored crosshead. Multiple feather valves were used on the air intake. The Class CO was a diesel version of this size. The 14 in. (356 mm) stroke, 30 and 40 hp (22 and 30 kW), 350 rpm Class CJ was introduced in 1938 to replace the AJ, but both were built concurrently for a period of time. The frame and cylinder were quite different than the AJ. As was common for B&S engines, both models had a galvanized frame cover for splash lubrication. The CP was a diesel version. These were the last B&S engines developed. In 1942, the Bovaird & Seyfang Manufacturing Co. was purchased by Dresser-Clark, which needed B&S’ plant capacity for government orders. Production of B&S pump jacks, engines and compressors continued until the early 1950s, when the demand for such equipment dwindled. Dresser-Clark continued using the B&S plant for producing two-cycle multi-cylinder Clark angle engine-compressors until the 1970s. CT2 MAY 2018 57

Cornerstones Of Compression ■ This Bovaird & Seyfang Class N combination gas engine and air compressor was introduced in 1919. The 16 in. (406 mm) x 22 in. (559 mm) stroke single-throw, straight-line machine, rated at 60 hp (45 kW) at 200 rpm, produced 100 psig (6.9 bar) air. The compressor head, complete with feather valves, was manufactured by the Laidlaw Division of the Worthington Corp.

Bovaird & Seyfang Entrepreneurs benefitted from Western Pennsylvania and New York oil and gas boom BY NORM SHADE he boom that followed the discovery of oil in Western Pennsylvania in 1859 led to many new enterprises in the region. Among them was John L. Seyfang’s Central Iron Works, founded in Shamburg, Pennsylvania in 1871 to repair oil drillers’ tools. As the oil boom pushed northward, Seyfang, with partner David Bovaird, moved the business to Titusville in 1875. They soon expanded to manufacturing oil field products and, in 1879, followed the boom to Bradford. In 1891, their growing business was incorporated as the Bovaird & Seyfang Manufacturing Co. (B&S). By 1895, the company was manufacturing steam engines for oil field needs. Bovaird left that same year to start his own company, and Seyfang retired in 1896, but the company continued to prosper. Although not as well-known as other equipment manufacturers, B&S played an important role in the development of the Western Pennsylvania and New York oil and gas fields. In addition to steam, gas and diesel engines, B&S manufactured compressors and other oil field equipment. Most of the products stayed within a 100 mi. (161 km) radius of Bradford, but B&S engines and equipment eventually found their way into most major oil producing areas of the United States. B&S’ first gas engine series was named for its designer, Albert Harbison. About 220 Harbison engines were produced from 1897 to early 1904. The four-cycle engines were built in six sizes, ranging from a 6 hp (4.5 kW), 6.5 in. (165 mm) bore x 10 in. (254 mm) stroke model to a

T

40 hp (30 kW), 14.5 x 20 in. (368 x 508 mm) model. Although designed primarily for oil field use, some were designated for powering small factories. An operable 12 hp (9 kW) 1900 Harbison is displayed at the Coolspring Power Museum in Pennsylvania. The next B&S series, built under license from the Standard Automatic Gas Engine Co. of Oil City, Pennsylvania, was known as the automatic. From 1899 to 1901, 25 were produced in sizes from 15 to 50 hp (11 to 37 kW). Several other B&S engine designs were developed in the early 20th century and more than 1000 were produced, mostly for powering pump jacks on oil wells. All were single-throw horizontal or vertical configurations. The company’s first two-cycle engine was the Type K, introduced in 1910. Half-breeds and conversions B&S, like so many other gas engine builders in the region at that time, also made “half-breed” cylinders for converting steam engines into gas engines. B&S introduced its Class AA half-breed in 1913, built in sizes from 15 to 25 hp (11 to 19 kW). As oil wells proliferated and matured, many oil well pump jack engines were converted from steam to compressed air, which was supplied from central compressors through a network of iron pipes. In 1919, with compressed air being used for pumping oil wells in the Bradford fields, B&S designed the Class N combination engine and air compressor. The Class N design closely resembled one continued on page 57

58 MAY 2018

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