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What happens if I put a Reciprocating compressor in a loop i.e The discharge of the compressor is sent to its suction? What do you think will happen to the temperature, wattage and pressure in the circuit?
 
Answers
23/10/2015 A: Bruce Carr, Suncor Inc, matukaze1@hotmail.com
You would in fact just be unloading the machine. Your amps will drop dramatically the system pressure will drop.. if the compressor is not equipped with an after cooler the temperature will increase over time. If the reason for doing this is to control the system pressure and is to be a long term action be sure to install a globe valve and not a gate valve as it doesn't take much to completely unload the machine.
22/10/2015 A: Ralph Ragsdale, Ragsdale Refining Courses, ralph.ragsdale@att.net
The reason recips have a cooler on the spillback flow is because with no or low net flow from the discharge to the process, the circulating fluid will increase in temperature. This changes the suction fluid specific volume, HP required, etc., and ultimately could damage the compressor internals.