Solution for the torsional vibration of the compressor shaft system with flexible coupling based on a sensitivity study

Abstract

This paper presents the root cause analysis and solving process of the torsional vibration problem in a reciprocating compressor shaft system. The field measured data showed that the fifth-order torsional resonance occurred in the shaft system. The lumped-mass method was adopted to calculate the torsional natural frequencies (TNFs) and mode shapes of the shaft system. A sensitivity study was conducted to investigate the effect of each inertia and stiffness in the calculation model on the first TNF of the shaft system. The uncertainties of the primary data of the calculation model were discussed, and the mass-elastic model was modified by adjusting the stiffness of the flexible disc coupling. After adding an inertia of 4.68 kg·m², torsional resonance was avoided, and the speed fluctuation of the shaft system was significantly reduced. The compressor package has been operating normally for nearly one year after modification. The analysis methods and conclusions given here can provide guidance for trouble-shooting torsional vibration problems.

Keywords

Compressor shaft system torsional vibration lumped-mass method natural frequency resonance

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Nestorides

. Handbook of torsional vibration, New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 1958.

Brusa

Delprete

Genta

. Torsional vibration of crankshafts: effects of non-constant moments of inertia. J Sound Vib 1997; 205: 135–150.

Huang

. Characteristics of torsional vibrations of a shaft system with parallel misalignment. Proc IMechE, Part C: J Mechanical Engineering Science 2005; 219: 1219–1224.

Almasi

. Practical torsional analysis and coupling selection for multi-machine complex process rotating equipment trains. Proc IMechE, Part E: J Process Mechanical Engineering 2010; 224: 137–141.

Zhao

Feng

et al.

Numerical and experimental investigation of the torsional stiffness of flexible disc couplings. Int J Mech Sci 2016; 114: 207–216.

Willie

Sachs

. Structural and torsional vibration and noise analysis of a dry screw compressor. Proc IMechE, Part E: J Process Mechanical Engineering 2017; 23: 4–13.

Miles

Lucas

Halliwell

et al.

Torsional and bending vibration measurement on rotors using laser technology. J Sound Vib 1999; 226: 441–467.

Wang, QY, Feese TD and Pettinato BC. Torsional natural frequencies: measurement vs. prediction. In: 41st Turbomachinery symposium, Houston, TX, September 2012.

Ouyang

et al.

An indirect torsional vibration receptance measurement method for shaft structures. J Sound Vib 2016; 372: 11–30.

10.

Cheng

. Design and analysis of a speed-dependent torsional vibration absorber. Proc IMechE, Part D: J Automobile Engineering 2006; 220: 763–774.

11.

Östman

Toivonen

. Active torsional vibration control of reciprocating engines. Control Eng Practice 2008; 16: 78–88.

12.

El-Sayed

Bauomy

. Passive and active controllers for suppressing the torsional vibration of multiple-degree-of-freedom system. J Vib Control 2015; 21: 2616–2632.

13.

Abouobaia

Bhat

Sedaghati

. Development of a new torsional vibration damper incorporating conventional centrifugal pendulum absorber and magnetorheological damper. J Intel Mat Syst Struct 2016; 27: 980–992.

14.

Feese T and Hill C. Guidelines for preventing torsional vibration problems in reciprocating machinery. In: Gas machinery conference, Nashville, TN, 7 October 2002.

15.

Howes B, King T and Pearsall D. Torsional vibration case study highlights design considerations. In: 6th Conference of the EFRC, Dusseldorf, Germany, 28–29 October 2008.

16.

Domazet

Lukša

Bugarin

. Failure of two overhead crane shafts. Eng Fail Anal 2014; 44: 125–135.

17.

Boru FE and Lenz J. Torsional vibration problem in reciprocating compressor – case study. In: 11th International conference on vibration in rotating machines, Magdeburg, Germany, 23–25 February 2015.

18.

Yan

. Failure analysis of an isometric polygonal shaft fracture. Eng Fail Anal 2015; 58: 192–205.

19.

Han

Lee

Park

. Parametric study to identify the cause of high torsional vibration of the propulsion shaft in the ship. Eng Fail Anal 2016; 59: 334–346.

20.

Gas Machinery Research Council. GMRC Guideline for High-Speed Reciprocating Compressor Packages for Natural Gas Transmission and Storage Applications. Cambridge, OH: ACI Services Inc, 2015.

21.

American Petroleum Institute. API 684: Lateral Critical Speeds, Unbalance Response, Stability, Train Torsionals, and Rotor balancing. Washington, D.C.: API Publishing Services, 2010.

22.

American Petroleum Institute. API 618: Reciprocating Compressors for Petroleum, Chemical, and Gas Industry Services. Washington, DC: API Publishing Services, 2007.