Reciprocating Compressor Condition Monitoring

As one of the oldest compressor designs, recips enjoy unique capabilities such as broad capacity control ranges, interstage cooling, the flexibility to compress gas regardless of mole weight or k value, and extremely high compression ratios. Consequently, they’re an ideal fit for selected applications such as hydrogen compression in the de-sulfurization process of many refineries and as part of the low-density polyethylene production process in chemical plants – to name just a few. However, reciprocating compressors suffer from one very serious drawback: higher maintenance costs. In fact, compared to similarly sized centrifugals, recips can consume as much as five times the amount of maintenance dollars.

That’s why a continuous monitoring system from Bently Nevada is so important. Specifically designed to meet the unique machinery protection and condition monitoring needs of recips, our solutions can help close the gap, bringing your recip maintenance costs down to the levels associated with centrifugals while simultaneously improving reliability, availability, and safety. And, with patented technology (US Patent 4,987,774), comprehensive services, and over 20 years experience monitoring reciprocating compressors, no one is better equipped to help you than Bently Nevada.

We are pleased to offer a considerably expanded solution with hardware, software, and services specifically designed to address the special monitoring requirements of reciprocating compressors using our state-of-the-art 3500 Series Machinery Protection System and System 1® software platform. Today’s monitoring capabilities address far more than just rider band wear with measurements that indicate valve condition, pressure ring condition, pressure packing case condition, crosshead pin condition, and many others.

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Asset Management Solutions for Reciprocating Compressors