Compressor Packager Responsibilities

1. Utilize the most current version of the Ariel Performance Program for compressor selection, performance

evaluation, pricing, and access to other application information and data.

2. Develop complete familiarity with all compressor frame and cylinder design limitations, such as:

speed, power requirements, rod load, maximum allowable working pressure, discharge temperature,

capacity control arrangements, balance, and lubrication.

3. Properly price each compressor with all options to meet the design service. For questions, contact

Ariel.

4. When evaluating existing equipment, obtain equipment serial numbers. Check with Ariel for

design ratings of older equipment as they may differ from current ratings.

5. Understand and properly evaluate customer specifications and take necessary exceptions and

precautions. Since operating conditions may change, make every effort to identify:

a. Design point conditions and any possible alternate conditions.

• Valve selection is based on operating conditions provided with the order. Multiple/alternate

conditions can affect valve application. Note startup conditions (or average first year operating

conditions) with order for best valve selection.

• Suction valve unloader application is based on all operating conditions provided with the

order. Operating conditions and available on-site actuation pressure determine suction valve

unloader design and actuation pressure. The packager must provide available site actuation

pressure information to Ariel at time of order.

• Valve performance is a function of valve lift. Applications with a wide range of operating conditions

may require low lift valves. Low lift valves may affect horsepower and flow. Using low

lift valves to extend valve life for site conditions not normally requiring them may cause detrimental

effects on valve efficiency and compressor performance. Contact Ariel for specifics

before requesting low lift valves.

b. The gas analysis to properly identify and address any special components.

c. Site conditions, including ambient temperature, elevation, dust, humidity, rainfall, wind velocity,

etc., and the impact of these conditions on package design.

d. The duty cycle of compressor operation and its impact on compressor and package component

selection and design.

6. For any special application, see the Ariel Application Manual. For questions or details, contact

the Ariel Application Engineering Department. Special applications include:

a. Suction pressures below 10 psig (0.7 barg).

b. Gas with specific gravity less than 0.35 or greater than 1.5.

c. Applications such as air compression, under-balanced drilling, natural gas compression for

vehicle fuel, refinery and petrochemical process systems, acid gas, etc.

d. Drive systems such as turbines, belt drive systems, variable speed motors, etc.

e. Non-lubricated compressor cylinders.

f. Special unloading or control systems.

g. Wet gas (natural gas produced along with crude petroleum in oil fields or from gas-condensate

fields; it contains methane, ethane, propane, butanes, and some higher hydrocarbons

such as pentane and hexane). See "Section 6- Lubrication" for reference Table 6-5.

h. Discharge pressures above 2500 psig (172.4 barg).

7. Some calculations in the Ariel Performance Program may need additional explanation:

a. De-Activated Stage of Compression: In choosing this option during the selection procedure,

the program estimates horsepower and flow losses for a de-activated stage.

b. Cylinder Blow Through: For this condition, the program generates estimated results.

c. Gas Property Calculation: The program calculates gas properties based on one of the following:

• The gas analysis components entered.

• The specific gravity entered, assuming a gas composed of typical natural gas components.

Non-typical natural gas mixtures require entry of the complete gas analysis to yield proper

compressor performance results.