MAN Diesel & Turbo | Operating Instructions | Centrifugal compressor | BURAXNO | 10001689613 | EN | 1/8 | 081444051112

3 Design and function

This Chapter addresses the operator of compressor RH063/03 in machine unit
BURAXNO. It shows the arrangement of the assemblies on the compressor and
explains their functions.

3.1 Overview
In the Sections below you will find information on the following subjects:
3.2 Compressor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-2

3.3 Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3

3.3.1 Compressor casing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3
3.3.2 Rotor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3
3.3.3 Shaft bearings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4
3.3.4 Coupling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4
3.3.5 Labyrinth seals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4
3.3.6 Balance piston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4
3.3.7 Container for spare rotor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4
3.3.8 Anti-surge control / Surge detector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-5
3.3.9 Auxiliary systems and ancillary equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-5
3.3.10 Sensors / pick-ups. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-6
3.4 Indicators and operator controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-7

3-1
3.2 Compressor
The compressor is a 3-stage centrifugal compressor of RH063/03 type.

Figure 3-1 Centrifugal compressor RH063/03 shows the arrangement of

assemblies and component parts.

MAN Diesel & Turbo | Operating Instructions | Centrifugal compressor | BURAXNO | 10001689613 | EN | 2/8 | 081444051112
1 2

5 4 3

Figure 3-1 Centrifugal compressor RH063/03

1 Discharge-end bearing pedestal
2 Inlet-end bearing pedestal
3 Suction nozzle
4 Balance pipe
5 Discharge nozzle

The compressor is installed in a machine unit. It serves to increase the process

gas pressure in the NO gas process. Depending on the operating condition of
the machine unit, the compressor is driven by a steam turbine and by an
expander.

The compressor rotor transmits rotational energy to the process gas. The
compressor impellers have blades subdividing them into ducts which force the
process gas to participate in the quick rotation of the rotor. The process gas is
projected outwards by centrifugal force. This causes a negative pressure in the
inlet whereby new process gas is taken in continuously.

The process gas is supplied to the downstream diffuser where the flow velocity
is reduced and converted into pressure. The gas leaving the diffuser is supplied,
via reversing diaphragms, to the next stage for further compression.

3-2 Design and function

 3.3 Assemblies
The Sections below provide a description of the design and function of
compressor and its assemblies.
MAN Diesel & Turbo | Operating Instructions | Centrifugal compressor | BURAXNO | 10001689613 | EN | 3/8 | 081444051112

3.3.1 Compressor casing

The horizontally split casing with suction nozzle and discharge nozzle rests with
its brackets, which are integrally cast with the casing lower part, on two
pedestals and is connected with them by means of front and rear casing
guides. The arrangement of the pedestals on the base plate allowing free
movement in axial direction ensures unrestricted thermal expansion of the
compressor casing.

The casing rings are centrally mounted in the casing and secured against
unintentional rotation in the split joint by means of retaining screws.

3.3.2 Rotor

The rotor consists of the welded compressor shaft, the impellers, the shaft seals
and the balance piston.

1 2

Figure 3-2 Compressor rotor

1 Compressor stages
2 Balance piston

Assemblies 3-3
3.3.3 Shaft bearings

The rotor is supported in oil-lubricated sleeve bearings having Babbitt metal

liners and is fixed axially in the pedestal by a double-acting tilting-pad thrust
bearing suitable for service in both directions of thrust and senses of rotation.

MAN Diesel & Turbo | Operating Instructions | Centrifugal compressor | BURAXNO | 10001689613 | EN | 4/8 | 081444051112
3.3.4 Coupling

The couplings at the shaft ends equalize shaft misalignment and thermal
expansion.

For information on the individual couplings please refer to the Operating

Instructions for Machine Unit BURAXNO.

3.3.5 Labyrinth seals

The shaft bushings at the casing face ends are provided with labyrinth seals to
prevent process gas from escaping.

Shaft seals (incl. impeller seals, balancing piston seals and splash ring seals) of
labyrinth design installed on every stage prevent the compressed gas from
flowing back to a point in the system where the pressure is lower.

3.3.6 Balance piston

The balance piston arranged downstream of the impellers largely compensates

the axial thrust arising as a result of the pressure differential between the suction
and discharge ends thus preventing overloading of the thrust bearing.

3.3.7 Container for spare rotor

MAN Diesel & Turbo deliver a storage container for the spare rotor along with
the centrifugal compressor.

The gas-tight container for the spare rotor is a steel sheet construction which is
bolted together by means of a central flange connection. The spare rotor is
secured by fixtures installed inside the container.

For a detailed description please refer to the Operating Instructions for Spare
Rotor Container.

3-4 Design and function

 3.3.8 Anti-surge control / Surge detector

The compressor is equipped with an anti-surge control to protect it against

mechanical stress by surging. The anti-surge controller prevents surging of the
compressor by opening the blow-off valve, discharging process gas from the
discharge end.
MAN Diesel & Turbo | Operating Instructions | Centrifugal compressor | BURAXNO | 10001689613 | EN | 5/8 | 081444051112

The surge detector protects the compressor against excessive surging by

keeping the compressor within the stable range. The surge detector trips the
machine train if the safety line was exceeded several times.
■ The blow-off valves are opened when a surge occurs. If no further surge
occurs within 20 seconds, the blow-off valves are closed automatically.
■ If a further surge occurs within 120 seconds, the valves are re-opened
and remain open. They must be closed by the operator manually.
■ If a third surge occurs within 2 hours, the compressor is tripped (with the
blow-off valves open).

3.3.9 Auxiliary systems and ancillary equipment

The auxiliary systems and ancillary equipment below are needed for
compressor operation:
■ Driver
The driver provides the necessary kinetic energy for the compressor. In
the machine unit the kinetic energy is provided either by a steam turbine
or by an expander.
■ Process gas system
On the one hand, the process gas system supplies the gs to be
compressed tot he compressor and on the other hand it routes the
compressed gas from the compressor outlet into the downstream
process.
■ Oil system
The oil system supplies the necessary lube oil to the bearings.
■ Wash water system
The wash water system makes it possible to inject wash water into the
process gas flow for washing the impellers and the flow-guiding parts of
the compressor.
■ Drainage system
The drainage system of the compressor drains condensate from the
casings of the compressor stages.

Assemblies 3-5
 ■ Control system
The control system controls process gas pressures and temperatures by
sending set-points to valves, flap valves, and heat exchangers.
■ Monitoring system
The monitoring system ensures that malfunctions of the compressor are

MAN Diesel & Turbo | Operating Instructions | Centrifugal compressor | BURAXNO | 10001689613 | EN | 6/8 | 081444051112
detected at an early stage.

These auxiliary systems and the ancillary equipment are integral parts of the
machine unit. For further information and detailed descriptions of the auxiliary
systems and ancillary equipment please refer to the Operating Instructions for
Machine Unit BURAXNO.

3.3.10 Sensors / pick-ups

The compressor is equipped with sensors / pick-ups which collect the following
operating values:
■ Shaft vibration
■ Axial position
■ Bearing temperatures

For a detailed description and an overview of all sensors / pick-ups on the

compresor please refer to the Operating Instructions for Machine Unit
BURAXNO.

3-6 Design and function

 3.4 Indicators and operator controls
This Section describes the arrangement and function of indicators and operator
controls of the compressor.

Emergency-stop When an emergency-stop button is actuated, both the machine unit and the
MAN Diesel & Turbo | Operating Instructions | Centrifugal compressor | BURAXNO | 10001689613 | EN | 7/8 | 081444051112

button compressor will be shut down.

Indicators and For the position of local indicators and valves/fittings please refer to the
valves/fittings Operating Instructions for Machine Unit BURAXNO and/or the related plans and
schematics.

Indicators and operator controls 3-7