Axial inlet conversion to a centrifugal compressor with magnetic bearings
- NOVA Corp., Edmonton, Alberta (Canada)
NOVA's Alberta Gas Transmission Division transports natural gas via pipeline throughout the province of Alberta, Canada, exporting it to eastern Canada, US, and British Columbia. There is a continuing effort to operate the facilities and pipeline at the highest possible efficiency. One area being addressed to improve efficiency is compression of the gas. By improving compressor efficiency, fuel consumption and hence operating costs can be reduced. One method of improving compressor efficiency is by converting the compressor to an axial inlet configuration, a conversion that has been carried out more frequently in the past years. Concurrently, conventional hydrodynamic bearings have been replaced with magnetic bearings on many centrifugal compressors. This paper discusses the design and installation for converting a radial overhung unit to an axial inlet configuration, having both magnetic bearings and a thrust reducer. The thrust reducer is required to reduce axial compressor shaft loads, to a level that allows the practical installation of magnetic bearings within the space limitations of the compressor (Bear and Gibson, 1992).
- OSTI ID:
- 7115015
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power; (United States), Vol. 116:1; ISSN 0742-4795
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
03 NATURAL GAS
GAS COMPRESSORS
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
RETROFITTING
FUEL CONSUMPTION
LIFE-CYCLE COST
MAGNETIC BEARINGS
PAYBACK PERIOD
BEARINGS
COMPRESSORS
COST
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
320303* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Equipment & Processes
032000 - Natural Gas- Transport
Handling
& Storage