The objective of the analysis is to study pressure variation and induced stress (as per API 618 5th edition) in Inter-Stage pipe network due to pressure wave.
The Inter-stage pipeline starts from suction end of cylinders A1 & A2 and connects to discharge end of reciprocating compressors cylinders B1 and B2 via 1st Stage Discharge Snubber, Inter-Stage Cooler, Inter-Stage Accumulator and 2nd stage Inter-Stage Snubber.
Based on the isometric drawings provided by the client, the whole piping network has been modeled. . As per the process, there is one vent recovery compressor C060-5206. Different operational cases have been done to study the effect of pressure pulsation and shake forces. Each pressure pulsation peak is compared with allowable pressure pulsation from the API-618 guidelines 5th edition.
It can be seen from the results that pulsation results are under allowable limits as pulsation waves generated by the reciprocating compressors are absorbed in pulsation dampeners and orifice plates at upstream and downstream of pulsation dampeners. Pipelines will not face any high peak with these dampeners and orifice plates. No modification is required in Inter-Stage piping system.
Also it can be seen from the results obtained from dynamic stress analysis, that the pipe stresses for shake forces at different harmonics are under allowable limits.
