Performance evaluation of 2-C-470 compressor of gas recycle process at PT. Lotte Chemical Titan Nusantara

Abstract

Recycle compressor used at PT. Lotte Chemical Titan Nusantara utilizes a four-stage piston compressor type. The compressor increases the gas pressure from the S-425 degasser at 0.3 bar to the R-400 reactor with a pressure of 22 bars. Evaluation of a compressor performance encompasses assessment over a number of aspects such as the capacity and volumetric efficiency of each stage, mechanical efficiency, compressor power, and cost saving. Performance analysis on the C-470 compressor implied a decrease in a performance marked by a decrease in mechanical efficiency from the design at 96.43% to the actual condition at 79.72%, along with the decrease in volumetric efficiency from the initial design to the actual efficiency for each stage. The differences occurred due to the changes in pressure and temperature of the input and output fluid at each stage. However, the compressor still appropriates to save the cost up to 99.7% with actual efficiency of 79.72%.