In the Oil and Gas industry, natural gas compressors are used in every stage of the process from exploration and transportation to processing and distribution. There are two main types of gas compressors: reciprocating and non-reciprocating (screw, centrifugal).
Reciprocating compression typically happens in three stages. A piston uses positive displacement to compress the gas. This begins with the gas being drawn into the compression cylinder, where the piston reduces the gas volume through positive displacement, and then released. The gas is cooled and then compressed again two more times before getting to its final pressure.
Non-reciprocating compression is less complex than reciprocating compression but does not achieve as high of pressures. In screw compression, gas passes through threads where screws or rotors compress the space, generating heat and increasing gas pressure. This method is typically used for smaller applications that require less gas at lower pressures. In centrifugal compression, gas enters the compressor, and an impeller spins it rapidly. This spinning increases the gas's speed and energy. When the gas leaves the impeller and moves through a diffuser, it slows down. This slowing down process converts the kinetic energy into higher pressure, which compresses the gas.
Regardless of the method, compressors require precise, well-designed components to prevent gas leaks and to dissipate heat during compression.
Naturally, the push for increased reliability and cost-savings are driving this expansive market, along with the need for greater environmental sustainability. Stakeholders in the industry are focusing on energy-efficient solutions as compressors consume a substantial amount of energy, with only a small amount being effectively utilized. Much of the energy a compressor application generates is dissipated as heat. Additionally, maintenance costs, especially for diesel-powered compressors, are a significant challenge as replacing parts, filters, and lubricants are expensive to fix.
These factors have led to the increased adoption of electric motors for compressors, as they are not only more energy efficient, but are also less expensive to maintain. However, this electrification requires reliable access to the electric grid, which is more difficult in some areas.
Which Coupling is the Best Fit for Your Gas Compressor?
Selecting the right coupling for a gas compressor application is key to the success and longevity of the system. Typically, the types of couplings used in gas compression are disc couplings and torsionally soft couplings. To select the best coupling for your application, you must factor in the type of driver (engine or motor), the specific application requirements, and the need for torsional damping.
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Preferred for fixed and high-speed, high-precision applications.
- Ideal when alignment can be well-controlled.
- Suitable for environments with wide temperature variations.
- Preferred in applications where space is limited.
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Best for applications requiring high vibration damping and shock absorption.
- Suitable for high-torque, variable load, and pulsating load applications.
- Ideal for installations with potential misalignment.
- Preferred when torsional resonance tuning is necessary or when noise and vibration reduction is critical.
The broad Regal Rexnord™ coupling portfolio and engineering expertise ensures finding the best coupling for your gas compressor application. The breadth of designs accommodates everything from smoother electric-driven gas compression applications to higher vibration engine-driven applications.
For applications where disc couplings are the right solution, Rexnord® Thomas™ XTSR, Thomas AMR, Thomas CMR, Thomas 54 and Thomas 54RDG couplings provide highly reliable and economical solutions for the gas compression industry.
CENTA™ highly flexible, torsionally soft couplings are ideally suited for gas compression applications subject to high vibratory loads or torsional vibration issues. CENTAX-B, CENTAX-G, and CENTAFLEX-A couplings are highly customizable solutions that meet the torsional requirements of demanding applications.
For applications that require a different type of coupling, Rexnord Omega® and Viva® elastomeric couplings, Falk® Steelflex® grid couplings, and TB Wood’s™ Sure-Flex® shaft couplings are highly reliable solutions that can be recommended to fit your needs by our industry-expert engineers.
Along with extensive experience in the gas compression industry, Regal Rexnord engineers bring years of experience in torsional vibration analysis (TVA). Torsional vibration refers to the ‘twisting’ movement of the rotating shafts that connect the various pieces of equipment in a drivetrain. Utilizing TVA can prevent downtime and protect your equipment. The coupling and shaft designs in the Regal Rexnord portfolio are subject to extensive torsional vibration analysis, multi-mass, and finite element analyses.