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Vibration Measurements for Reciprocating Compressors

Sander Bakker | Vibration Specialist, Istec International

Vibration Measurements for Reciprocating Compressors

Vibration measurements on reciprocating compressors prove to be difficult due to the natural mechanical movement of this type of machinery. However, there are some important parts that should be monitored for changes in vibration behaviour.

Casing vibration (frame vibration)

Casing vibration results from various forces and movements inside the machine and are part of normal running conditions. Due to the pistons being driven back and forth, the entire frame with all its components continuously vibrate, move, and deform. Moreover, suction and discharge valves create impacts due to opening and closing during every revolution of the crankshaft. Every force during a revolution has its impact and affects the vibration behaviour of the machine. Such forces include gas load forces, inertial load forces, reciprocating and rotating unbalance forces and gas unbalance forces. It’s important to note that even in optimal process conditions, reciprocating compressors vibrate much more than their rotating equivalents.

To measure casing vibration on reciprocating compressors, velocity measurements are used. Typically, these are integrating piezoelectric accelerometers or moving coil velocity sensors, as the vibration frequencies for this application usually include components below 10 Hz. The sensors are used to detect defects like unbalance, mechanical looseness and structural or foundation issues. One sensor should be positioned at the drive end side and one at the non-drive end side (figure 1).

Positioning of velocity sensors to monitor casing vibration

Crosshead vibration

The crosshead slides on a lubricated surface and moves back and forth (reciprocating). When the clearance between the crosshead and the surface increases, the crosshead vibration level will also increase. Monitoring crosshead vibration allows the operator to schedule maintenance in time to make sure that the clearance between the surface and the crosshead stays within acceptable limits.

Accelerometers are typically used to measure crosshead vibration due to their ability to monitor high frequency components. These sensors can detect problems related to excessive crosshead clearance, excessive clearance in the crosshead pin bushing and loose or cracked nuts, bolts or pistons. Two sensors should be placed on the crosshead of which the positioning depends on the direction of rotation.

  • Clockwise shaft rotation. One accelerometer should be mounted vertically above the crosshead guide on the left, and one vertically below the crosshead guide on the right (figure 2).

Position of vibration sensors with clockwise shaft rotations

  • Counterclockwise shaft rotation. One accelerometer should be mounted vertically below the crosshead guide on the left, and one vertically above the crosshead guide on the right (figure 3).

Position of vibration sensors with counterclockwise shaft rotations

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Ahmad
Ahmad
3 years ago

wonderful

Leon Nunes
1 year ago

Hello everyone!
I just have a question about crankshaft bearing monitoring in this type of compressor (when applicable). Is it possible to use, instead of two velocity probes, two acceleration probes to evaluate together both low freq. problems and high freq. bearing early stages failures?

Thank you in advance,

Best regards,

Leon

About the Author

Sander Bakker Vibration Specialist, Istec International

Sander Bakker manages the Condition Monitoring department and is a vibration specialist at Istec International. He is one of the few to be a certified ISO-18436-2 CAT IV (level 4) vibration specialist. With his extensive knowledge and field experience he and his team provide vibration measurements, analyses and measurement & advisory reports.