Dynamic analysis of the reciprocating compressor package on the offshore platform

Abstract

Reciprocating compressor packages are key equipment for the offshore platforms which are used for the pressurization and transportation of natural gas. Dynamic analyses of high-speed and flexible supported offshore compressor packages are more complex than that of compressors on land. The dynamic analysis techniques of the offshore reciprocating compressor package were studied including numerical modelling, excitation forces calculation, support boundary determination of the compressor package and load transmission between the compressor package and the offshore platform. The finite element model of the compressor package with multiple types of elements such as the pipe, beam and shell elements were established. Excitation forces mainly including gas forces inside cylinders, crosshead forces, acoustic shaking forces and unbalanced inertia forces were calculated. In order to investigate the influence of the flexibility of the platform on dynamic characteristics of the compressor package and set reasonable boundaries for the support structure, three kinds of support boundaries were compared. The support points of columns and vertical beams on the layer of deck where the compressor package is installed were determined to be the most suitable ones. Super-element method was applied to implement the load transmission from the compressor package to the platform. The analysis techniques herein were successfully applied to the dynamic analysis of an offshore reciprocating compressor package in an engineering project.