Materials System Specification

31-SAMSS-002
30 September 2009
Packaged Screw Plant
and Instrument Air Compressors
Compressors, Gears and Steam Turbines Standards Committee Members
Alshaikh, Tariq Hussain, Chairman
Khateeb, Eyad Mohammed, Vice Chairman
Asiri, Saeed Mohammad
Felemban, Mohammed Mahmoud
Harbi, Murshed Ghazi
Hussain, Khaleel Ma'Atug
Jughaiman, Bader Khaled
Kawthar Ali, Mahmoud Hashim
Khogair, Hani Ahmad
Khowaiter, Abdul Rahman Othman
Muqahwi, Sameer Salim
Naas, Adil Ali
Odan, Nabeel Mohammad
Qahtani, Hadi Abdullah
Rabaa, Salem Abdullah
Sabri, Hasan Abdulrahman
Tuin, Rienk

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents
1
2
4
5
6
7

Scope............................................................. 2
Normative References.................................... 2
Basic Design.................................................. 4
Accessories.................................................... 5
Inspection, Testing, and
Preparation for Shipment........................ 8
Vendor's Data................................................. 8

Previous Issue: 7 December 2005 Next Planned Update: 30 September 2014

Page 1 of 9
Primary contact: Al-Khateeb Eyad Mohammed on 966-3-8760116

Document Responsibility: Compressors, Gears and Steam Turbines

Issue Date: 30 September 2009
Next Planned Update: 30 September 2014

31-SAMSS-002
Packaged Screw Plant
and Instrument Air Compressors

The following paragraph numbers refer to international standard ISO 10440-2:2001 (Part 2),
which is a part of this specification. The text in each paragraph below is an addition, unless
noted as an exception, modification, or deletion to ISO 10440-2. Paragraph numbers not
appearing in ISO 10440-2 are new paragraphs to be inserted in numerical order.
1

Scope
(Modification) This specification defines the requirements for packaged screw
compressors in plant/instrument air and other non-hazardous gas services with a rated
flow of 425 Nm/h (250 SCFM) and higher and up to a discharge pressure of 2.0 MPa
(290 psia). For compressors with rated flow less than 425 Nm/h (250 SCFM), only
paragraphs 4.1.15 and 5.5.5.1 of this specification are required (manufacturer standard,
in general, may be used for those units). For services with a discharge pressure higher
than 2.0 MPa (290 psia), compressors complying with ISO 10440-1 shall be used.
1.1

Experience Requirements
Compressors shall be supplied by Vendors qualified in manufacturing the
units proposed. To qualify, the Vendor must have manufactured and
packaged at the proposed manufacturing location, at least two compressors,
of identical frame size, which have operated satisfactorily for at least two
year of continuous (loaded) operation. Verification of this experience shall
form part of the Vendor's proposal. However, innovative designs may be
accepted if reviewed and approved by the Standards Committee Chairman.
Compressors manufactured under a license agreement shall carry the
licensor's written guarantee.

1.2

Alternative Designs
All deviations from this Specification shall be separately listed by the
Vendor in his quotation and shall refer to the relevant paragraph numbers.
Direct all requests to deviate from this specification in writing to the
Company or Buyer Representative, who shall follow company waiver
procedures and forward such requests to the Manager, Consulting Services
Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

Normative References
Material or equipment supplied to this Specification shall also comply with the latest
edition of the references listed below, unless otherwise noted.

Page 2 of 9

Document Responsibility: Compressors, Gears and Steam Turbines

Issue Date: 30 September 2009
Next Planned Update: 30 September 2014

2.1

31-SAMSS-002
Packaged Screw Plant
and Instrument Air Compressors

Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Materials System Specification
26-SAMSS-045

Turbine Oils 32, 46, 68 and 100

Saudi Aramco Inspection Requirements

Form 175-312200
2.2

Inspection Requirements for Packaged Screw

Air Compressors

Industry Codes and Standards

American Society of Mechanical Engineers
ASME SEC VIII D1

Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels

International Standards Organization

ISO 1328-1

Cylindrical Gears -- ISO System of Accuracy -Part 1: Definitions and Allowable Values of
Deviations Relevant to Corresponding Flanks
of Gear Teeth

ISO 2151

Acoustics Noise Test Code for Compressors

and Vacuum Pumps Engineering Method
(Grade 2)

ISO 5011

Inlet Air Cleaning Equipment for Internal

Combustion Engines and Compressors
Performance Testing

ISO 10440-2

Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries

Rotary-Type Positive-Displacement
Compressors Part 2: Packaged Air
Compressors (Oil-Free)

National Electrical Manufacturers Association

NEMA MG 1

Motors and Generators

International Electrotechnical Commission

IEC 60034-1

Rotating Electrical Machines

Part 1: Rating and Performance

Process Industry Practices

ELSMC20

Low Voltage AC Adjustable Speed Drive

Specification

Page 3 of 9

Document Responsibility: Compressors, Gears and Steam Turbines

Issue Date: 30 September 2009
Next Planned Update: 30 September 2014

31-SAMSS-002
Packaged Screw Plant
and Instrument Air Compressors

Basic Design
4.1

General
The required minimum design life of the compressor and its auxiliaries is
20 years of service life. Additionally, the compressor package shall operate
continuously in the loaded condition for a minimum of 40,000 hrs without
requiring a shutdown for major maintenance.

4.1.1

All pressurized gas vessels shall be designed and fabricated in accordance

with the ASME SEC VIII D1, latest addenda, or equivalent international
standards.

4.1.3

Cooling water systems, when used, shall be closed circuit tempered water
systems. Fouling factors for the cooling air (ambient) side of air cooled heat
exchangers shall also be 0.35 m.K/kW.

4.1.10

For compressor packages, the overall efficiency shall be a minimum of 77%

at rated conditions. This efficiency requirement shall be verified during
performance testing per 6.3.4.2.

4.1.13

The sound pressure level measured, in free field conditions, at a distance of

1 m in any direction from the compressor package shall not exceed 80 dBA.
Control of the sound pressure to meet this requirement shall be the sole
responsibility of the Vendor and shall be confirmed during factory testing.

4.1.15

Unless otherwise specified on the datasheet, the equipment shall be

weatherproof packaged units designed for outdoor installation in a desert
area, with relative humidity from 0 to 100% (condensing) and ambient air
temperatures from 0C to 50C (32F to 122F).
Note:

Metal temperature can reach 70C (158F) when exposed to direct solar
radiation.

All package components shall be rated for the above ambient conditions (in
addition to temperature rise due to generated heat), except instrumentation
and controllers which shall be rated for 65C (150F). The entire equipment
package and auxiliaries, including filtration, shall also be designed against
sandstorms. Additionally, equipment installed offshore or near-shore
(within km of shoreline) shall be protected against windborne seawater
spray and the accumulation of wetted salt.
4.5

Rotating elements

4.5.1

Rotors

Page 4 of 9

4.5.1.4

The Vendor shall state, in his proposal, the means (e.g., coating, hardening)
of protecting rotors and shaft seal areas against abrasive wear and erosion
due to continuous service in a desert environment.

4.5.2

Timing gears

4.5.2.1

Timing gears shall also meet a minimum of Quality 6 of ISO 1328-1.

4.7

Dynamics

4.7.1

Critical speed

4.7.1.4

For all rotors, the first lateral critical speed shall be at least 130% of the
maximum allowable speed.

4.7.2

Vibration and balance

4.7.2.3

Overall vibration levels measured during testing on the bearing housings at

any direction shall not exceed 3.0 mm/s (0.12 in/s) RMS. For operation at
site, alarm and shutdown limits shall be advised by the Vendor.

4.10

Lube oil and seal oil systems

4.10.3

All oil piping and valves shall be stainless steel. For water cooled lube oil
cooler materials, only SS, 90-10 Cu-Ni or admiralty brass are acceptable.
The oil reservoir shall have an external sight level indicator.

4.10.4

The compressor package shall be designed for using ISO VG 68 lube oil to
the specifications of 26-SAMSS-045.

4.11

Materials

4.11.1

General

4.11.1.7

Compressors shall also be subject to tests and inspection by the Buyer's

inspection representative in accordance with the requirements specified in
Section 6.

Accessories
The voltage supply and fluctuation range shall be specified by the Purchaser in the
datasheet.
5.1

Drivers

5.1.1

Electric motors shall be sever-duty, TEFC (totally enclosed fan cooled)

design rated for 50C (122F) ambient and type B temperature rise with
Page 5 of 9

Document Responsibility: Compressors, Gears and Steam Turbines

Issue Date: 30 September 2009
Next Planned Update: 30 September 2014

31-SAMSS-002
Packaged Screw Plant
and Instrument Air Compressors

class F insulation. Motor frame sizing, electrical performance and

characteristics shall be in accordance with NEMA MG 1 or IEC 60034-1.
Electric motors rated more than 10 kW (13 HP) shall also be of the highefficiency type (>93% or EFF1) and shall be provided with space heaters.
5.1.3

Switchgear shall not be used to control motors with a rated voltage less than
4 kV. Reduced voltage starters, other than Y-Delta, shall not be used
without prior approval of the Electrical Substations Equipment Standards
Committee Chairman.

5.4

Controls and instrumentation

5.4.2

Control systems

5.4.2.1

Unless otherwise specified, variable speed shall be the primary means of

control used. All necessary equipment, including instrumentation,
controllers and motor variable frequency drive shall be suitable for the
environmental conditions and shall be supplied by the compressor package
Vendor.

5.4.2.2

The motor variable frequency drive shall comply with Process Industry
Practices (PIP) ELSMC20 specifications.

5.4.3

Instrumentation and control panels

5.4.3.2

Unless otherwise specified, a Microprocessor control and monitoring system

shall be supplied, and shall allow communication with DCS through Modbus
protocol. As a minimum, monitored parameters shall include:
-

Bearing supply lube oil pressure & temperature.

Speed, for variable speed units.

Running status.

Vibration, from each installed vibration transducer raw (or buffered)

output signal, indicating velocity in mm/s or in/s RMS.

Inlet air filter differential pressure.

Inter-stage (for multi-stage units) air pressure and temperature.

Final discharge pressure and temperature.

5.4.3.5

(Modification) Solenoids that are normally energized shall have Class H

insulated coils.

5.4.4

Alarms and shut-downs

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Document Responsibility: Compressors, Gears and Steam Turbines

Issue Date: 30 September 2009
Next Planned Update: 30 September 2014

5.4.4.2

5.4.6

31-SAMSS-002
Packaged Screw Plant
and Instrument Air Compressors

Switches shall not be used for alarm or shutdown. Alarm and shutdown
logic shall be failsafe. Alarms shall be provided for, at least, the parameters
specified in 5.4.3.2. As a minimum, a shutdown shall be initiated on:
-

Low lube oil pressure

High bearing or oil supply temperature

High final discharge pressure.

Vibration and position detectors

For enclosed, packaged compressor units, the raw output (buffered;
unprocessed/unfiltered) of each vibration instrument shall also be wired to
connectors to allow reading of vibration signals from the exterior of the
package.

5.4.6.3

Vibration transducers (e.g., SPM) shall be supplied, calibrated, installed and

fully wired by the Vendor. One transducer shall be installed in the radial
direction on each of the compressor and motor bearings and gear casing.

5.5.4

Intercoolers and aftercoolers

5.5.4.11

Each Intercooler and aftercooler shall be equipped with an automatic

condensate removal trap with stainless steel internals, and provided with
bypass. Solenoids, when used, shall have test button to allow
exercising/checking functionality.

5.5.5

Intake filters

5.5.5.1

A self-cleaning filter shall be provided and shall be common for both

cooling air and compressed air intakes (in addition to the vendor standard
compressed air filter). Filters performance shall be verified in accordance
with ISO 5011.

5.5.5.2

The air filter intake shall be raised 3 m (10 ft) above ground by using
ducting arrangement. The cooling air exhaust opening shall have auto
open/close louvers. The exhaust air shall be diverted away from enclosure
(e.g., using ducting).

5.5.6

Silencers

5.5.6.3

The peak-to-peak pulsation level of the compressor in the piping shall not
exceed 2 % of the mean line absolute pressure.

Page 7 of 9

Document Responsibility: Compressors, Gears and Steam Turbines

Issue Date: 30 September 2009
Next Planned Update: 30 September 2014

31-SAMSS-002
Packaged Screw Plant
and Instrument Air Compressors

Inspection, Testing, and Preparation for Shipment

6.1

General

6.1.1

Compressors shall be subject to inspection by the Buyer's inspection

representative in accordance with the requirements specified in the
referenced form 175-312200.

6.3

Testing

6.3.1

General

6.3.1.2

(Modification) The Vendor shall inform the Purchaser of the month of

testing a minimum of 12 weeks in advance. Moreover, the Purchaser shall
be notified of the exact date at least 14 working days prior to testing.

6.3.4.2

Performance test
A shop performance test shall be carried on only one unit of each model of
the purchased units and shall be witnessed by Buyer representative. Testing
of non-witnessed units shall be certified.

6.3.4.3

Complete unit test

For single-lift packaged compressors, with or without the job filter, the
mechanical running test and performance test (as applicable per 6.3.4.2)
shall be performed as complete unit tests. The complete unit test for only
one package of each model of the purchased units shall be witnessed by
Buyer representative.

6.3.4.6

Sound level test

The sound level, as specified in 4.1.13, shall be confirmed during factory
testing based on ISO 2151.

6.3.4.7

Auxiliary equipment tests

The self-cleaning filter system may be tested at the filter system supplier
shop then shipped directly to site.

Vendor's Data
7.1

Proposals
The Vendor's proposal shall also include a list of similar machines installed
and operating under similar site conditions.

Page 8 of 9

Document Responsibility: Compressors, Gears and Steam Turbines

Issue Date: 30 September 2009
Next Planned Update: 30 September 2014

31-SAMSS-002
Packaged Screw Plant
and Instrument Air Compressors

7.2

Contract Data

7.2.2

Drawings

7.2.2.4

The schematic diagrams shall include all instruments and wiring provided in
the package with clear indication of alarm and trip instruments, set points
and logic.

7.2.5

Instruction manual
The manuals shall be provided in searchable and printable electronic format
(e.g., CD).

30 September 2009

Revision Summary
Major revision.

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