Dynamic System Analysis of Vent and Recycle Configurations in Centrifugal Compressors

Centrifugal compressors are vital components in industrial applications, but they are prone to a disruptive phenomenon known as surge, which can lead to mechanical stress and temperature increase. Surge occurrence is influenced by machine design, plant layout, and geometry. Engineers often deploy long (cold) and short (hot) recycle valves to address this issue. To ensure surge prevention, a fluid dynamic model is indispensable. In this study, a 1D Computational Fluid Dynamics (1D-CFD) model was developed using Amesim for a two-section centrifugal compressor. The main objective was to investigate the impact of various parameters on surge occurrence and compare different plant layouts to determine the most suitable solution for the specific study case. Here, the focus is on the influence of vent valves over the plant performance. To achieve this comparison, transient simulations of emergency shutdown (ESD) operations were performed. This study contributes to a better understanding of how machine design and operational factors affect surge behavior. By systematically evaluating different plant layouts, we identified the most effective strategies for preventing surge and enhancing compressor performance. This research provides valuable insights for engineers and operators striving to optimize industrial processes and improve the reliability and efficiency of centrifugal compressor systems.