Compact compression system with integral heat exchanger

Abstract

An apparatus for housing a rotatable assembly and for heat exchange and a method of making the apparatus are disclosed. The device includes a first housing and a second housing spaced from the first housing and defining a gap therebetween. The apparatus also includes a cooling fluid manifold coupled to a cooling fluid source and a stack of plates coupled to and extending between the first and second housings to fill the void. The first and second shells and the stack of plates define at least a portion of the pressurized enclosure therein. Additionally, the stack of plates includes apertures that receive the rotatable components and define process fluid flow passages configured to direct process fluid to and / or from the rotatable components. The stack of plates is in fluid communication with the cooling fluid manifold and transfers heat from the process fluid to the cooling fluid.

Description

Background technique [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 61 / 484,775, filed May 11, 2011, which priority application is incorporated by reference in its entirety to the extent that it does not conflict with this application . [0002] Industrial gas compressors can be arranged in compression trains, which are used in a variety of industries to provide increased pressure to process fluids. Examples of such industrial applications include refineries, offshore oil production platforms, pipeline compressor stations, LNG liquefaction systems, etc. In many of these applications, space is at a premium, so there is an increasing need for more compact compression systems. The development of the "Compact Compressor" allows for a significant size reduction by combining a pressurized high speed motor and magnetic bearing system with the compressor in a single hermetic motor-compressor module. One such system is , which is available from Dresse...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Although such designs offer some improvement over traditional separated element solutions, these designs generally increase the size of the compressor casing in both radial and axial directions, providing the capacity to house the heat exchanger. The extra bulk required, thus somewhat defeats the purpose of system size reduction / compact design

Also, the number of compression stages that can be used is often limited due to the size increase caused by the additional heat exchanger compounded with the size increase required for the additional stages

This usually results in a reduction in the pressure build-up capability of the entire compressor train

Further, in some cases, this integration of heat exchangers leads to a significant reduction in aerodynamic efficiency in the compressor

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