Inlet · Gas Plant
Inlet Compression
Compressors that raise the pressure of the field gas arriving at low pressure so the plant can treat and process it.
What it does
Low pressure gathering gas is boosted before treating and processing. Reciprocating units suit lower flows and centrifugal units high flows; the duty is split into stages with cooling between them, and suction scrubbers remove liquids before each compressor.
Basics
| Types | Reciprocating (lower flow) or centrifugal (high flow) |
| Arrangement | Stages with intercooling and suction scrubbers |
| Driver | Gas engine, gas turbine or electric motor |
Common failures
- Liquid reaching the cylinders because a stage scrubber is not draining
Troubleshooting
- Symptom
- High vibration or knocking on a stage
- Likely cause
- Liquid carryover from the scrubber
- What to check
- Check the scrubber level control and dump valve