Surge Control System or Anti-Surge system of Centrifugal Compressor

The surge of centrifugal compressor is controlled by two methods 1. Discharge flow. 2. Varying the drive speed. Surge Control by discharge gas: The function of surge control system is to detect the compressor when it is approaching surge and then taking action to reverse the movement of the operating point so that it moves away from the surge limit line. For that the discharge gas of compressor is flow back to the suction through the coolers. During surge the temperature of the gas is elevated, if we admit the high temperature gas in to the suction of the compressor, it will affect the both labyrinth and bearings. As per thermodynamic first law PV=mRT P Pressure of the gas during surging in Kg/Sq.M V Volume of the gas during surging in cubic meter M Mass of gas in kg R- Gas constant T Temperature of the gas in Kelvin From this equation consider the pressure, mass and Gas constant are remains constant during surge, therefore VT From the above equation we conclude that the rise of temperature of gas will increase the volume of gas. Due to this increase in volume it will offer some back pressure at the discharge of the compressor and it cause again surge in the centrifugal compressor. Hence it is necessary to cool the gas before it enters in to compressor inlet. This method is used for the process gas such as Hydrogen, Methane, Vapour Ammonia, Natural gas, LPG etc, In the case of air compressor during surging the discharge gas is vented in to atmosphere. There by the operating point of compressor is surge limit line. A typical anti surge system used in most of the industrial compressor is shown below,

Anti-Surge Control System In which the both the inlet and the discharge pressure are sensed by the pressure transmitter (PT) and the differential pressure value is send as an input to Surge Controller (SC) and inlet flow of gas is sensed by the flow transmitter (FT) and send its signal an input to the surge Controller. Based on the flow and differential pressure (Del. Pc), the Surge Controller give the input signal to the flow transmitter. Based on the input signal the flow transmitter, actuate the surge flow control valve (FV) for to avoid surge, the discharge of the compressor will recycle back to suction of the compressor.

Varying of Drive speed:

Surge Control Line At Different Speed Most of the centrifugal compressor was driven by either steam turbine or motor. In the case of steam turbine the speed can be varied by changing the operating speed of the governor. On the other hand compressor is drive by variable speed drive motor. In the variable speed drive motor work based on the principle of varying the input frequency of the motor, there by speed of the motor will change accordingly. Generally most of the industrial centrifugal compressor surge is controlled by using discharge flow method when compare with varying the drive speed of the compressor. Because in case of varying the speed of compressor response for surge little late when compare with the discharge flow control method.