2009

Compass: Basic Users Guide

 Getting to Know Compass
The following diagram describes some of the features available in the main window of Compass:

1 2 3

9
6

5
4

2 Compass: Customer Feedback Cameron Compression Systems-Superior

 1) Description Panel- Use this to name your file and describe your project. The name you give to the project will be the name use for the
File saved in the hard drive.
2) Input/Output Unit Selection- Use this to select the system of measurement (English , Metric or Custom).
3) Basic Location Conditions Use this to define the conditions of the project location (Elevation, Ambient Temperature, Barometric
Pressure).
4) Operating Conditions- Use this to define the operating conditions of the job application such as suction pressure, discharge pressure,
suction temperature and flow required.
5) Gas Analisys- Use this to define the gas composition of the job application that is going to be analyzed.
6) Navigation Panel- Use these three tabs to go from the operating conditions (Application Tab) input to compressor model/cylinder
(Configuration Tab) selection to the report generated by the software (Analysis Tab).
7) File Administration- Use these options to manage your files.
8) Pre-Analysis Report- Compass pre-calculates the discharge pressure for the inter stages as well discharge temperatures and horsepower.
9) Run Performance- Use this to run the analysis performance after entering the operating conditions and compressor/cylinder selection.

Easy Things You Can Do in Compass

1) Quick horsepower estimation- Compass can quick estimate the horsepower needed to obtain the flow required under
specific operating conditions.

Figure X. Horsepower Quick Calculator

2) Use Compass as a Unit Converter- Go to the Input/Output Unit Selection and select your current units. Go to the Operating
Conditions section and input your conditions. Go back to the Input/Output Unit and select the units that you want to
convert your current conditions. For example, the value for suction pressure show in the diagram below can be converted
from psiG to barG.

3 Compass: Customer Feedback Cameron Compression Systems-Superior

 Figure X. Units Conversion

4 Compass: Customer Feedback Cameron Compression Systems-Superior

3) Superior Frames/Cylinders Outline Drawings and Basic information- Compass has a database of drawings that are available
for quick reference. In addition, basic Frame and cylinder information such as Maximum Working Pressure (MWP) and
materials can be review in the available data sheet. This can be done by right clicking on the cylinder or frame and selecting
the option View Data Sheet to access cylinder/frame data or View Outline Drawing to access an outline drawing

Figure X. Frame and Cylinder Data Sheet

5 Compass: Customer Feedback Cameron Compression Systems-Superior

4) Printing Out API-618 Data Sheets- Compass fills out an API 618 Data Sheet after clicking on Run Performance. The user can access this
information by scrolling down in the Reports Tab and selecting API-618.

Figure X. API 618 Data Sheet

6 Compass: Customer Feedback Cameron Compression Systems-Superior

Compressor and Cylinder Selection-

1) Project Name and File Administration: Name the project and click on SAVE AS to keep your project in your records (Compass does not
have Automatic Save so the user has to click on the project regularly).
2) Units Selection- Select your system of measurement (Metric, US or Custom).

7 Compass: Customer Feedback Cameron Compression Systems-Superior

3) Basic Location Conditions: Define Ambient Temperature and Elevation.

Figure X. Location Conditions

8 Compass: Customer Feedback Cameron Compression Systems-Superior

4) Define Gas Analysis: Define the Gas Composition of the job Application. Click on Gas by Type if you have a Standard Gas such as
Natural Gas, Hydrocarbon SG .65, 100% Propane, 100% CO2 or Air.

2
1

Figure X. Standard Gas Definition

9 Compass: Customer Feedback Cameron Compression Systems-Superior

If the job application requires a unique gas composition (e.g. 90% Methane/10% Propane) then click on Gas by Analysis and define the Mole
Percentage for each component .

2
1

Figure X. Unique Gas Definition

10 Compass: Customer Feedback Cameron Compression Systems-Superior

 5) Define Operating Conditions: Define suction pressure, suction temperature, discharge pressure, number of stages and flow required.

Figure X. Operating Conditions Definition

Compass will estimate the number of stages required based on the suction and discharge pressures. However, the user can always modify this
option by clicking on the up/down arrow.

11 Compass: Customer Feedback Cameron Compression Systems-Superior

6) Equipment Selection: Select your compressor/cylinder. Click on the Configuration Tab then click on Auto Select Frame and select the
model desired. Compass will select the cylinder models if the Auto Select Cylinders option is used or the selection can be done by the
user by just double clicking on the throws and selecting the models.

1
2 4

Figure X. Equipment Selection

12 Compass: Customer Feedback Cameron Compression Systems-Superior

 7) Run Performance Analysis: Click on Run Performance to obtain an analysis of the job application.

Figure X. Run Performance

Click on the Analysis Tab to be able to access the analysis report.

13 Compass: Customer Feedback Cameron Compression Systems-Superior

Important information printed out in the performance analysis.

1) Check discharge temperatures- the discharge temperature limits for Superior cylinders is 350 F.
2) Check Rod Loads: Each Superior machine has unique properties such as Rod Load limits. This information can be found in the top right part of the
report (see figure below).

Figure X. Performance Analysis

14 Compass: Customer Feedback Cameron Compression Systems-Superior

How to Simulate a Two (2) Service Job Application

Compass has the capability of simulating a two (2) service job application. This can be done by clicking on the Add Service button and
then assigning the compressor cylinders with a service tag.

Figure X. Add Service

15 Compass: Customer Feedback Cameron Compression Systems-Superior

 Figure X. New Service Pre Analysis Report

16 Compass: Customer Feedback Cameron Compression Systems-Superior

Under Configuration Tab select the compressor and cylinder model. The option Include Legacy Frames has to be selected in order to
be able to simulate old Superior Units (W74,W76 etc).

Figure X. Compressor Selection

17 Compass: Customer Feedback Cameron Compression Systems-Superior

After selecting the cylinders, the user needs to assign the Service and Stage number. This can be done by selecting the cylinder
(highlighted in blue) and change the option Service and Stage.
2

Figure X. Service and Stage Selection

18 Compass: Customer Feedback Cameron Compression Systems-Superior