METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR VALVE LEAK SIMULATION

• US 20100162797A1
• Filed: 12/30/2008
• Published: 07/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Holdings LLC (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Grant, John, Van Wagenen, David R., Summers, Sean, Howard, Brian, Hala, Roger
• Granted Patent: US 8,161,800 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/40.50R
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 27/0451 Particularities relating to the distribution members F04B27/0472, F04B27/0531 and F04B27/0535 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 27/1009 Distribution members
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/002 by using thermal means
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/2876 for valves G01M3/30 takes precedence

Abstract

A method for simulating a compressor valve leak is described. The method includes inducing a flow of gas past a compressor valve that is coupled to a bypass block, wherein the bypass block defines a first passageway and a second passageway therein, and wherein the bypass block is also coupled to a bypass valve that is in flow communication with the second passageway. The method also includes measuring a first temperature and a second temperature. The first temperature is the temperature of the gas flowing through the first passageway of the bypass block and the second temperature is the temperature of gas flowing within the second passageway. The method also includes adjusting the bypass valve to divert a portion of the gas flowing through the second passageway to create temperature conditions substantially similar to conditions that are created due to a compressor valve leak.

Claims

1. A method for simulating a compressor valve leak, said method comprising:

inducing a flow of gas past a compressor valve that is coupled to a bypass block, wherein the bypass block defines a first passageway and a second passageway therein, and wherein the bypass block is also coupled to a bypass valve that is in flow communication with the second passageway;

measuring a first temperature, wherein the first temperature is the temperature of the gas flowing through the first passageway of the bypass block;

measuring a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is the temperature of gas flowing within the second passageway; and

adjusting the bypass valve to divert a portion of the gas flowing through the second passageway to create temperature conditions substantially similar to conditions that are created due to a compressor valve leak.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein measuring the first temperature comprises measuring the temperature of a compressor discharge gas, and measuring the second temperature comprises measuring the temperature of gas within a discharge bypass passageway.

3. A method in accordance with claim 2 further comprising comparing the first temperature to the second temperature to identify the simulated compressor valve leak, wherein a convergence of the discharge gas temperature and the temperature of gas within the discharge bypass passageway indicates the presence of a compressor valve leak.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein measuring the first temperature comprises measuring the temperature of a compressor suction gas, and measuring the second temperature comprises measuring the temperature of gas within a suction bypass passageway.

5. A method in accordance with claim 4 further comprising comparing the first temperature to the second temperature to identify the simulated compressor valve leak, wherein a divergence of the compressor suction gas temperature and the temperature of gas within the suction bypass passageway indicates the presence of a compressor valve leak.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising displaying at least one of the first temperature, the second temperature, and a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature, to facilitate tracking temperature changes.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein measuring the first temperature and the second temperature comprises receiving the first temperature and the second temperature at a diagnostics system.

8. A compressor valve leak detector comprising:

a bypass block comprising a first passageway and a second passageway defined therein;

a compressor valve input port in flow communication with said first passageway, said compressor valve input port configured to receive a compressor valve therein, said first passageway at least partially defining a first gas flow path;

a bypass valve in flow communication with said second passageway, said bypass valve and said second passageway at least partially defining a second gas flow path;

a gas temperature transducer coupled to said bypass block for measuring a temperature of gas within the first gas flow path; and

a valve temperature transducer coupled to said bypass block for measuring a temperature of gas within the second gas flow path.

9. A compressor valve leak detector in accordance with claim 8, wherein said bypass valve is configured to simulate a compressor valve leak by diverting gas flow from the first gas flow path to the second gas flow path.

10. A compressor valve leak detector in accordance with claim 8, wherein said compressor valve comprises at least one of a discharge check valve and a suction check valve.

11. A compressor valve leak detector in accordance with claim 8, wherein said gas temperature transducer comprises at least one of a discharge gas temperature transducer and a suction gas temperature transducer.

12. A compressor valve leak detector in accordance with claim 8, wherein said compressor valve leak detector is configured to simulate steady-state operation of the compressor when said bypass valve is closed and to simulate a compressor valve leak when said bypass valve is open.

13. A compressor valve leak detector in accordance with claim 8, wherein said gas temperature transducer and said valve temperature transducer are each coupled to a diagnostics system.

14. A compressor valve leak detector in accordance with claim 13, wherein said diagnostics system is configured to identify a compressor valve leak by monitoring changes between the temperature of gas flowing through the first gas flow path and the temperature of gas flowing through the second gas flow path.

15. A compressor valve leak detector in accordance with claim 8, wherein said gas temperature transducer and said valve temperature transducer are resistance temperature detectors.

16. A reciprocating compressor demonstration system comprising:

a compression chamber; and

at least one valve leak detector coupled to said compression chamber, said at least one valve leak detector comprising a bypass valve configured to produce conditions substantially similar to conditions caused by a compressor valve leak.

17. A reciprocating compressor demonstration system in accordance with claim 16, wherein said at least one valve leak detector further comprises a gas temperature transducer and a valve temperature transducer.

18. A reciprocating compressor demonstration system in accordance with claim 17, wherein said gas temperature transducer is one of a compressor discharge gas temperature transducer and a compressor suction gas temperature transducer.

19. A reciprocating compressor demonstration system in accordance with claim 17, wherein said gas temperature transducer and said valve temperature transducer are configured to provide temperature measurements to a diagnostics system.

20. A reciprocating compressor demonstration system in accordance with claim 17, wherein said at least one valve leak detector is configured to divert a flow of compressed gas across said valve temperature transducer to increase a temperature sensed at said valve temperature transducer, which simulates conditions produced by a compressor valve leak.