Compressor Performance Analytics

Innovative technology in the field of analytics brings us closer to the equipment.

IMBU, has co-developed the system with Howden in the Netherlands. It has been fine tuned in the world’s most challenging locations like the Niger Delta (Nigeria) and the steppes of Kazakhstan.

What it does

End-users of compression equipment commonly use it for;

1. An early warning system to prevent major failures.

2. Users looking to implement a Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) scheme.

3. To improve compressor output using Digital Twin technology.

How does it work?

Key to the design of the system is configuration of a ‘digital twin’ of the compressor (or pump or other). This ‘digital twin’ is a highly accurate digital representation of the physical compressor set, that is then compared to the actual measurements of the running unit. e.g. PV curves generated using actual parameters with OEM engineered theory (pressures, temperatures, gas-composition etc.).

This allows a continuous trending of how much the actual measured performance is deviating from the engineered “twin’s” baseline performance.

Take live data over one crankshaft rotation for example - here you can visibly see that valves on the crank-end are late to close causing inefficiency in production;

The IMBU system uses a number of transducers and developed inputs, that can be adapted to your application.

• Accelerometers to monitor vibration, with focus on certain mechanical components (i.e compressor valves, cylinder, crankshaft etc)

• Angle Encoder - this allows us to plot data across 0-360 degree rotation of your crankshaft. Individual events can be isolated (valve opening/closing, rod-reversal etc).

• In-Cylinder Pressure Measurement, gives us the ability to plot live P-V curves and monitor the complete compression cycle versus theoretical calculations for your operating parameters.

• Rod-Drop Sensors - gives us a over-time trend of the piston rod position, providing clues to wear occuring to your wear bands and cylinders.

Reference Projects