Abstract
The commissioning date of three critical path ethylene compressors at a Belgian chemical plant was in jeopardy because the original compressor valves failed within hours of start-up on the final stage of compression. The valve supplier attempted to resolve the failures twice, without success. The failed concentric ring valve design was evaluated by the compressor OEM and determined to have marginal reliability characteristics. A different type of compressor valve, the ported plate valve, was proposed as a potential solution. Although a slight decrease in compressor efficiency was expected with the alternative valve technology, the client deemed this an acceptable compromise to meet his production schedule. The new valves were installed in April 1999 and continue to run without problems.
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