Mechanical modeling techniques are used to eliminate excessive vibration and dynamic stress caused by mechanical and pulsation-induced shaking forces generated by compressors and pumps. Mechanical analyses are performed to assess the likelihood of a coincidence of system component structural resonance and acoustic (pulsation) energy within the piping system. The extent of a mechanical system vibration analysis can vary:

Basic review of piping restraint types and locations
Detailed modeling of the compressor manifold piping system
Calculation of dynamic stress and vibration amplitudes of system components and piping

image of ANSYS mechanical build-up for one side of a 6-cylinder reciprocating compressor manifold system.

image of ANSYS mechanical build-up for a 4-cylinder reciprocating compressor manifold system.

image of ANSYS mechanical build-up for a 6-cylinder reciprocating compressor manifold system.

ANSYS mechanical build-up for one side of a 6-cylinder reciprocating compressor manifold system. Two modes are available.

View videos: Choke Tube Mechanical Mode Windows Media or QuickTime.
Scrubber Mode Windows Media or QuickTime.

ANSYS mechanical build-up for a 4-cylinder reciprocating compressor manifold system. View videos: Windows Media or QuickTime.

ANSYS mechanical build-up for a 6-cylinder reciprocating compressor manifold system. View videos: Suction Bottle Mechanical Mode Windows Media or QuickTime. Suction Riser Piping Mode Windows Media or QuickTime.

Typical mechanical system design recommendations detail:

Piping configurations
Piping support types and locations
Compressor bottle supports
Compressor cylinder supports
Vessel and gas cooler structural supports
Internal baffle specifications

For more information about compressor system and pump system analyses capabilities or mechanical vibration analysis capabilities at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Ben A. White, P.E., at bwhite@swri.org or (210)522-2554. We can offer you the best approach for solving your compressor system or mechanical vibration problem.

Contact Information

Ben A. White, P.E.

Mechanical Vibration Analysis

(210) 522-2554

bwhite@swri.org

Related Terminology

mechanical vibration study

mechanical piping analysis

mechanical manifold study

mechanical energy

piping mechanical analysis

piping vibration problem

pipe stiffness

modal study

modal analysis

piping restraints

static stress

dynamic stress

clamp failure

clamp strain

mechanical flexibility

cylinder stretch

acoustic design technology

pulsation study

acoustic analysis

pulsation expertise

acoustic study

vibration expert

compressor pulsation study

vibration study

compressor pulsation analysis

pulsation bottle

| Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department | Mechanical Engineering Division | SwRI Home |

Southwest Research Institute^®(SwRI^®), headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a multidisciplinary, independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 12 technical divisions.

October 23, 2009