XPLORE
Compression Calculation Module
The Xodus Compression Module utilises operational
data, custom calculations, industry standard calculations
and advanced simulation technology to provide a state
of the art monitoring system analysing all aspects
of compressor operation and maintenance.
Each system is custom designed utilising the required
functionality from the following list:
› Online real-time visualisation
› Molecular weight reconciliation
› Fixed or variable speed drives
› Thermodynamic calculations
› Mechanical degradation monitoring
› Real time/ historical, predictive and ‘what if’ operating
modes.
Online Real-Time Visualisation
The Compression Calculation Module gives the user
the ability to view a large amount of system data
and complex
calculated information in real-time. Such information
is normally only available following offline studies.
Typical plots available to the user are Operating
Point -v- Design Curves for Polytropic Head, Efficiency & Power
-v- Flow. Head can be viewed as Head, DeltaP, Compression
Ratio or Discharge Pressure. Flow can be viewed as
Actual or Standard Flow. Plots can show Control lines
(for example the CCC control lines SCL, SLL, SOL, RTL
can be viewed).
Click image to enlarge.
Molecular Weight Reconciliation
Composition can be obtained online if available, otherwise
it can be manually entered periodically and Molecular
Weight reconciliation performed over time.
Fixed or Variable Speed Drives
The module has the ability to handle fixed or variable
speed drives including all available speed, efficiency
and power curve data.
Thermodynamic Calculations
All such complex calculations are performed online
in real-time, are available through the user interface
and can be trended. For compressor monitoring we
recommend and utilise Multiflash. Multiflash gives
us access
to a vast number of thermodynamic methods allowing
us to analyse each system and select the most appropriate
method.
NOTE: The XPLORE turbine module is also available
which provides additional information regarding
operating efficiency, maintenance, availability
and exhaust
emissions.
Mechanical Degradation Monitoring
With the help of the performance monitoring system
the performance degradation and fouling of the
compressor unit can be evaluated and monitored.
It is essential
to detect degradation before corrective action
can be started. Real time condition monitoring
is an
important part of modern and efficient management
of industrial
flow machines. Compressor performance is calculated
by monitoring certain parameters of the compressor,
e.g. efficiency or the required shaft power of
the compressor. In order to reliably monitor
performance, condition monitoring system has to
produce a reference
value against which the real operating value
can be compared. Usually the reference value is
selected
so
that it represents the reference value of a new
compressor.
Real time / Historical, Predictive and ‘What
If’ Modes
The system can operate in any one of three modes.
Real time operation shows the current status
of the compressor.
All of the measured and calculated data is saved
to a historical database therefore the user can
go back
in time and review historical operation.
The system can include the ability to run in
predictive mode so that in addition to real-time
information
the user also has information regarding the operation
of
the compressor in the near future. Depending
on the complexity of the model we can predict
up to
36 hours
into the future.
In ‘what if’ mode the user can freeze the
system and change any of the input parameters, for
example the gas composition, and review what happens
to the compressor operation. In this mode the real
time data is stored in the background and refreshed
when real time mode is reselected.
Click image to enlarge.
A typical architecture for a compression monitoring
system includes the standard XPLORE framework linking
to the customer’s data historian. The compression
module along with custom calculations and information
from the Multiflash package supply the user via a web
server with real-time and historical (and if required
predictive and ‘what if’) information regarding
the operation of their compressor or whole compression
system.
For more information contact:
Steve Hamilton, Director – Technology Division
Tel: +44 (0)1224 628307 Email:
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