Potential of Savings in the Design of Industrially Adequate Pipework for Reciprocating Compressors

Standards stating •good practice• have had an undeniable influence on the demand for extensive dynamic analysis in the design of pipe systems for reciprocating compressors. The merits of such an approach have to be acknowledged in complex systems or when difficult service conditions must be taken into account. But in many cases it is possible to use empirical analytical methods which are less expensive but still give satisfactory results. To draw attention to this fact two typical eaamples of delivered compressor plants are given. The potential of_ savings is of the order of several $10000 per case. The selection of the most economical approach should be made rather on grounds of sound engineering judgement than by uncritical use of written codes.