Hello,
I am a recent graduate engineer and wanted to share some queries regarding a reciprocating compressor.
I have a reciprocating compressor for natural gas which compresses it from 40 psig to 2000 psig with a 4-stage reciprocating compressor. There are a total of 4 compressors in parallel and each has a capacity of 4 mmscfd.
There is a common recycle valve for capacity control which tries to maintain the suction header pressure. However, I see that when recycling there is a drop from 2000 psig to 40 psig across control valve and temp. drops from 120F to 7F. Is this a cause of concern? I do not see any liquid dropout. Do we need any heat tracing after control valve to bring up the temperature? Or can be depend on heating from the ambient to increase temperature?
rs