Device and Method for Cleaning a Compressor

Abstract

A system for cleaning compressors ( 1 ) that are situated at a difficultly accessible location, e.g., on or near the seabed or downhole in a well bore, comprises a cleaning liquid line ( 8 ) extending between a readily accessible liquid source and the compressor. The liquid source may be a line ( 7 ) for supplying hydrate inhibitor, anti foam chemicals, barrier liquid, demulsifier or other types of chemicals to a subsea production or processing activity. Alteratively, the liquid source can be an accumulator tank ( 13 ) situated in the vicinity of the compressor.

1 . System for cleaning compressors that are situated at a difficultly accessible location, characterized in that it comprises a cleaning liquid line extending between a readily accessible liquid source and the compressor. 
   
   
       2 . System for inhibiting hydrate formation in compressors that are situated at a difficultly accessible location, characterized in that it comprises a hydrate inhibitor line extending between a readily accessible hydrate inhibitor source and the compressor. 
   
   
       3 . System according to  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that the compressor is situated on or near the seabed or downhole in a well bore. 
   
   
       4 . System according to  claim 1 ,  2  or  3 , characterized in that the liquid source is a line for supplying hydrate inhibitor, anti foam chemicals, barrier liquid, demulsifier or other types of chemicals to a subsea production or processing activity. 
   
   
       5 . System according to  claim 1 ,  2  or  3 , characterized in that the liquid source is an accumulator tank situated in the vicinity of the compressor. 
   
   
       6 . System according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the accumulator tank is in communication with a supply line for hydrate inhibitor, anti foam chemicals, barrier liquid, demulsifier or other types of chemicals to a subsea production or processing activity. 
   
   
       7 . System according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the accumulator tank is in communication with the liquid outlet of a gas/liquid separator. 
   
   
       8 . System according to any of the  claims 5 - 7 , characterized in that the accumulator tank is in communication with a high pressure line diverting high pressurized gas from the compressor to boost the pressure of the cleaning liquid in the accumulator tank and evacuate the cleaning liquid. 
   
   
       9 . Method for cleaning compressors that are situated at a difficultly accessible location, characterized in that a cleaning liquid is diverted from a readily accessible liquid source to the compressor. 
   
   
       10 . Method for inhibiting hydrate formation in compressors that are situated at a difficultly accessible location, characterized in that a hydrate inhibitor is diverted from a readily accessible liquid source to the compressor. 
   
   
       11 . Method according to  claim 9  or  10 , characterized b y installing the compressor on or near the seabed or downhole in a well bore. 
   
   
       12 . Method according to  claim 9 ,  10  or  11 , characterized in that the liquid is diverted from a line for supplying hydrate inhibitor, anti foam chemicals, barrier liquid, demulsifier or other types of chemicals to a subsea production or processing activity. 
   
   
       13 . Method according to  claims 9 ,  10 ,  11  or  12 , characterized in that the liquid is stored in an accumulator tank before injection into the compressor. 
   
   
       14 . Method according to  claim 13 , characterized in that the liquid in the accumulator tank is boosted by pressurized gas from the compressor before injection into the compressor. 
   
   
       15 . Method according to  claims 10 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13  or  14 , characterized in that the inhibitor is injected during shutdown of the compressor.