OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE
standards for compressed air systems can realise improved operational efficiencies for engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) clients. Te API is a leading authority on establishing and maintaining standards to help the oil and natural gas industry to safely, efficiently and responsibly supply energy to billions of people worldwide. Tese standards serve to improve the safety of industry operations, assure quality, help keep costs down, reduce waste and minimise any confusion around recommended best practice. Tere are a range of API standards
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governing compressed air installations that are adhered to by many oil and gas projects around the globe. Tese standards include 618 for reciprocating compressors, 619 for rotary compressors, 681 for liquid ring compressors and 672 for centrifugal compressors. Industrial air compressors play a
major role in the oil and gas sector, with everything from pneumatic drilling equipment to pipeline transportation utilising compressed air systems. For large- scale EPC projects, then, understanding what these rigorous standards entail and the requirements compressors need to meet to comply with them, is key.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS? Used in oil, chemical and gas industry services for handling process air or gas with either lubricated or non-lubricated cylinders, API 618 sets out the minimum design requirements for reciprocating compressors of low to moderate speeds (typically between 300 and 750 rpm).
SETTING THE
ndustry standards play a vital role in the development of equipment used in the oil and gas sector. Adhering to American Petroleum Institute (API)
Operators must meet several standards for compressed air installations
Amit Bhan disucsses the API standard for compressed air systems in the oil and gas industry
A key section of the standard (7.9) focuses on the design to control pulsation and vibration for systems and is used throughout the oil and gas industry. API 618 also covers lubrication systems, controls, instrumentation, intercoolers, aftercoolers, pulsation suppression devices, and other auxiliary equipment. Intended for compressors in special- purpose applications, API 619 describes the requirements for dry and oil-flooded, helical-lobe rotary compressors used for vacuum or pressure (or both) in the oil, petrochemical and natural gas industries. While API 681 covers the minimum
Ingersoll Rand offers a range of air compressors for the oil & gas sector
requirements for liquid ring vacuum pump and compressor systems. Tis includes vacuum pump, compressor design and
STANDARD
system design. Te design of the system is critical to the successful operation of the liquid ring vacuum pump or compressor and close attention must be paid not only to the design of the ring liquid system but also to how it is integrated into the client’s process. Finally, API 672 covers the minimum
requirements for constant speed, packaged, general purpose and integrally geared centrifugal air compressors. Tis standard is not applicable to machines that develop a pressure rise of less than 0.35 bar (5.0 psi) above atmospheric pressure, which are classed as fans or blowers.
Tose working to API standards are able to offer EPC clients in the oil and
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