Predict centrifugal compressor performance in off-design condition

M. Di Febo and P. Paganini, Industrial Plants Consultants, Bari, Italy Centrifugal compressors are vital components within process plants. The capability to detect early indicators of malfunctions in these machines, and to identify and understand their causes and possible remedies in a timely way, helps minimize overall operational costs. This trend is known as predictive maintenance. For common centrifugal machines, predictive techniques are applied to the vibrational and structural dynamic aspects of machine rotor operation. On the operation floor, machine vibrational parameters are measured and compared to acceptable limits and used mainly for alarm triggering. Predictive maintenance fo