GMRC 2006 Research Projects

Pulsation Control Prototype Development
Champions: Michael Smith, Hoerbiger Gas Systems; Rainer Kurz, Solar Turbines, Inc.
Principal Investigator: Ralph Harris, SwRI
Co-Funder: Cooper Compression
Objectives: To advance the technical maturity of technologies to address both nozzle and lateral piping pulsation problems. The Tapered Nozzle, Infinite Length Nozzle, and Tunable Side Branch Absorber concepts will be advanced from bradboard to prototype experimental evaluation.

Compressor Valve Research & Development
Champions: John Platt, BP
Principal Investigator: Klaus Brun
Co-Funders: BP
Objective: To further advance two previously developed new key valve design concepts (semi-active plate valve and rotary passive valve) through their next development stageand continue the improvement of the valve life analysis program by integrating field testing results and new material properties.

Mounting Guidelines
Champion: George McKinney, Augusta Engineering & Design; Bill Elston, Compressor Systems, Inc.; David Krenek, Caterpillar, Inc.
Principal Investigator: Tony Smalley, SwRI
Co-Funders: Compressor Systems, Inc., Caterpillar, Inc., Kinder Morgan, Inc., Cooper Compression, Ariel Corporation
Objective: To prepare guidelines for the mounting of medium and high-speed separrable compressors in pipeline service. The project will gather experience and demonstrate good mounting practice from different industry segments and past GMRC research and supplement thi with focused quantitative analysis. The project will apply the resulting information to synthesize a guideline document which will guide the installation of compression equipment, free from damaging vibrations, which operates reliably with acceptable alignment over the long term and with respect for life cycle costs. It will include a basis for evaluating the choice to block mount a compressor as an alternative to skid mounting.

Gas Turbine & Driven Equipment Field Testing Guideline
Champion: Rainer Kurz, Solar Turbines Inc.
Principal Investigator: Klaus Brun, SwRI
Co-Funders: BP
Objective: To develop a performance testing execution guideline to be used by the entire industry. The guideline could become a reference that is widely acceptable for most OEMs and gas turbine users. The guideline should provide common requirements for field test execution, test instrumentation, performance calculation, and measurement uncertainty determination, as well as best practices regarding station layout. This document will use existing (but outdated) field test guidelines, new manufacturer specifications, modern instrumentation data, user applications/feedback, and methods for evaluation of appropriate performance and uncertainty calculations. The document will also rely on experimental uncertainty data (scatter) collected from a number of actual field tests, as well as experimental data derived from SwRI's test facilities. An easy to use tool to determine test uncertainties will be part of the document.