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Vibrations created by pressure pulsations are recognized as a common problem for reciprocating compressor facilities. There are design practices and API standards that direct designers in methods to minimize the likelihood of vibration problems from pressure pulsations. But, there are other dynamic forces in reciprocating compressors that can cause vibration problems. Foremost of these are the dynamic gas forces from the pressure inside the compressor cylinder. These dynamic gas forces cause motion of the compressor cylinder in the direction of piston motion at all orders of compressor speed. This motion is sometimes referred to as cylinder stretch or frame stretch. This cylinder motion can excite the attached piping and bottles resulting in excessive vibration, fatigue failures and, in extreme cases, a gas release and serious safety concerns. Currently, there are no industry standards that provide designers or fabricators a means of determining when dynamic cylinder gas forces will be a problem and measures that can be taken to mitigate these concerns. This paper will provide an explanation of the dynamic cylinder gas forces and their effects by means of a technical description as well as a recent case study of an Anadarko facility. The case study includes computer simulations as well as field measurements demonstrating the cylinder gas force problem. A method of determining when a compressor installation may be susceptible to gas force vibration problems based on evaluating the compressor operating parameters will be described. This specification will fill a deficiency in API 618 5th Edition. Design practices for minimizing vibration from gas forces and recommended field analysis techniques will be discussed.
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