Turbocompressor antisurge control by vibration monitoring
AssigneeCompressor Controls Corporation
InventorJames R. Johnsen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The proposed mechanical method of turbocompressor surge detection uses vibration signals from vibration monitoring equipment mounted on the compressor components to detect a surge event and provide antisurge control thereby. This method utilizes only mechanical information to identify surge, as compared to present day antisurge controllers that use compressor thermodynamic information such as flow, pressure, and temperature to locate a compressor's operating point on a compressor map compared to a surge region.
Claims20
A method of antisurge control for a turbocompressor, the method comprising:
- receiving, by an antisurge controller and from at least one sensor, displacement data associated with a rotor shaft of the turbocompressor, wherein the displacement data is received over a period of time in which the turbocompressor is not in a surge condition;
- calculating, by the antisurge controller, a background displacement level based on the displacement data;
- receiving, by the antisurge controller, a current displacement level from the at least one sensor;
- calculating, by the antisurge controller, a value based on the background displacement level and the current displacement level;
- comparing, by the antisurge controller, the value to a set point;
- and
- controlling an antisurge valve based on a comparison of the value to the set point.
An apparatus for providing antisurge control for a turbocompressor, the apparatus comprising:
- at least one sensor comprising at least one of a displacement sensor, a velocity sensor or an acceleration sensor configured to measure data associated with a rotor shaft of the turbocompressor;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- receive data from the at least one sensor over a period of time in which the turbocompressor is not in a surge condition,
- calculate a background level based on the data,
- receive a current level from the at least one sensor,
- calculate a value based on the background level and the current level,
- compare the value to a set point, and
- control an antisurge valve based on a comparison of the value to the set point.
A method of antisurge control for a turbocompressor, the method comprising:
- receiving, by an antisurge controller and from at least one sensor, vibration data associated with a rotor shaft of the turbocompressor, wherein the vibration data is received over a period of time in which the turbocompressor is not in a surge condition;
- calculating, by the antisurge controller, a background vibration level based on the vibration data;
- receiving, by the antisurge controller, a current vibration level from the at least one sensor;
- calculating, by the antisurge controller, a value based on the background vibration level and the current vibration level;
- comparing, by the antisurge controller, the value to a set point;
- and
- controlling an antisurge valve based on a comparison of the value to the set point.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.