Turbine-Driven Reciprocating Compressor and Method

Abstract

A reciprocating compressor system is provided comprising: a turbine; a reciprocating compressor driven by the turbine; and a gearbox arranged between the turbine and the reciprocating compressor. The turbine is provided with a barring device arranged for slow-turning the turbine during a barring phase. A clutch is arranged between the turbine and the reciprocating compressor, for mechanically disconnecting the turbine from the reciprocating compressor during a transient phase of operation of the system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A reciprocating compressor system comprising: a turbine; a reciprocating compressor driven by the turbine; a gearbox arranged between the turbine and the reciprocating compressor; a barring device arranged for slow-turning the turbine during a barring phase; wherein a clutch is arranged between the turbine and the reciprocating compressor, for mechanically disconnecting the turbine from the reciprocating compressor during a transient phase of operation of the system. 
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the transient phase comprises a barring phase after shut down of the turbine. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the transient phase comprises a warm-up phase of the turbine. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the clutch is arranged between the turbine and the gearbox. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the clutch is a self-synchronizing clutch. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the barring device is arranged for driving the turbine in a direction opposite an operative rotation direction of the turbine when driving the reciprocating compressor. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the barring device comprises a barring actuator and preferably a gearbox. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a secondary mover, configured and arranged for driving the reciprocating compressor when the clutch is disengaged. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the secondary mover comprises an electric machine. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the electric machine is a reversible electric machine. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the electric machine comprises a through shaft with a first end and a second end, permanently engaged to a shaft line connectable to the turbine and to the reciprocating compressor. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the electric machine is arranged between the gearbox and the reciprocating compressor. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the turbine is a steam turbine. 
     
     
         14 . A method of operating a turbine driven reciprocating compressor system comprising a reciprocating compressor, a turbine driving the reciprocating compressor, a gearbox between the reciprocating compressor and the turbine, a clutch arranged for selectively engaging and disengaging the turbine to and from the reciprocating compressor, and a barring device; the method comprising mechanically disengaging the turbine from the reciprocating compressor and rotating the turbine at a rotary speed, different from a rated rotary speed, during at least one transient phase. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the transient phase is a slow-turning phase of the turbine at shut-down, and wherein during the transient phase the turbine is rotated at a barring speed by means of the barring device, the barring speed being different from a rated speed range. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising mechanically disengaging the turbine from the gearbox and the reciprocating compressor during the transient phase. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising:
 arranging the clutch between the turbine and the gearbox;   driving the reciprocating compressor with the turbine via the clutch and the gearbox, at a rated speed;   shutting down the turbine and disengaging the clutch, rotating the turbine after shut-down by means of the barring device at the barring speed below the rated speed, maintaining the reciprocating compressor and the gearbox stationary.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising:
 starting the turbine while the turbine is disengaged from the gearbox and the reciprocating compressor;   increasing the speed of the turbine above at least one critical rotary speed;   engaging the turbine to the gearbox and the reciprocating compressor, starting operation of the reciprocating compressor.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising:
 providing a secondary mover, arranged and configured for selectively driving the reciprocating compressor;   driving selectively the reciprocating compressor with the secondary mover maintaining the clutch disengaged, or with the turbine maintaining the clutch engaged.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the secondary mover comprises an electric machine. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the secondary mover is a reversible electric machine, and wherein, when the reciprocating compressor is driven by the turbine, the reversible electric machine is driven into rotation by the turbine and is switched in a generator mode, the electric machine converting excess mechanical power generated by the turbine into electric power. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , comprising:
 starting the secondary mover;   driving the reciprocating compressor by means of the secondary mover;   starting the turbine;   warming-up the turbine at a speed lower than a rated speed;   raising the turbine speed at the rated speed;   engaging the clutch, starting driving the reciprocating compressor by means of the turbine;   shutting down the secondary mover of switching the secondary mover to a generator mode,   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , comprising:
 starting the secondary mover, while the reciprocating compressor driven by the turbine;   starting shut-down of the turbine;   disengaging the clutch, driving the reciprocating compressor by means of the secondary mover;   rotating the turbine at a barring speed, while the reciprocating compressor is driven by the secondary mover; and   stopping the turbine.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the turbine is a steam turbine.