Case Studies: Mechanical Analysis

Dresser Rand Compressors at Total Refinery, Gonfreville, France

Dresser Rand installed four compressors at Total’s Gonfreville refinery in Normandy, France. Spectrum undertook pulsation analysis during the design phase of the project, including dampener design and acoustic/mechanical pulsation analysis of the main pipework system in accordance with API 618 5th edition. For this project a mechanical finite element model was constructed of the compressors in order to predict the mechanical natural frequencies and ensure separation from the dominant pulsation frequencies.

Troubleshooting at Markinch Biomass Power Station for Jacobs Engineering

Spectrum were called in at the commissioning phase of the Markinch Biomass plant, to look at pipework resonances associated with a rotary blower. Vibration measurements were recorded on the pipework, in addition to noise measurements. Spectrum’s PIPAC software was used to analyse the pipework resonances and recommendations given to install orifice plates to detune the resonances.

SIAD Macchine Impianti Compressors at Turkmenbashi Refinery, Turkmenistan

SIAD Macchine Impianti installed two compressors at the Turkmenbashi Refinery, Turkmenistan. Spectrum undertook pulsation analysis during the design phase of the project, including acoustic and mechanical pulsation analysis of the main pipework system in accordance with API 618 5th edition.

Burckhardt Compressors at Ruwais Refinery, UAE

Burckhardt Compression installed two ethylene compressors at the Ruwais Plant in Abu Dhabi as part of a major expansion project. Spectrum undertook pulsation analysis during the design phase of the project, including acoustic and mechanical pulsation analysis of the main pipework system in accordance with API 618. Recommendations were given to minimise acoustic pulsation levels by installing orifice plates close to the pulsation dampeners. Mechanical natural frequencies in the critical frequency range were detuned by recommending installation of additional pipe supports and modification of existing pipe supports.

Howden Thomassen Compressors at IOCL Panipat Refinery, India

Howden Thomassen Compressors installed three reciprocating compressors at the Panipat site in 2004. In 2015 the compressors were modified to increase their capacity. Spectrum undertook analysis to review the pulsation response under the revised process conditions, including both acoustic and mechanical studies. Spectrum visited site in India to measure vibration levels on the pipework system, to record the baseline levels prior to the modifications.

In addition a flexibility study was carried out by Spectrum to the requirements of ASME B31, to evaluate the impact of the revised process conditions on pipework stress levels and vessel nozzle loads.