Acoustical analysis focuses on decreasing pulsation in the compressor manifold system and system piping, therefore reducing dynamic forces acting on the process components.  This analysis optimizes vibration control using acoustical filtering where applicable to eliminate excessive vibration induced forces rather than relying on empirical analysis alone.  Acoustic filtering can be used effectively and confidently to control the vibration. 

Our acoustic pulsation software analyzes models in the time domain to accurately predict the acoustic resonance and shaking forces at the frequencies they occur at.  Compression Dynamics Consulting will recommend cost effective modifications to bring the system within compliance of API 618 5^th Ed. or GMRC specifications.  Acoustical analysis is required to achieve safe and reliable piping systems of reciprocating compressors.

Unlike most pulsation software that operates in Microsoft DOS, Compression Dynamics utilizes software that integrated with 3D modeling.  This allows us to import models and reduce input error while reducing the costs of a typical API 618 pulsation study.  

Design Approach Breakdown

Design Approach 1:

Empirical Formulas.

Uses empirical data to preliminary size suppression devices.  This was traditionally used to size bottles before digital analysis became available.

Design Approach 2:

Acoustic Simulation and Piping Restraint Analysis. 

Compression Dynamics uses Pulsim Suite and DamperSim to analyze the system pulsation.  Compression Dynamics will use this analysis to size pulsation suppression devices and orifice plates to bring the system in compliance with API 618 5^th Ed.  Compression Dynamics uses pulsation software that analyzes in the time domain. This captures the interaction of pulsation as it travels through the system instead of a static wavelength analysis.  Piping Restraint analysis uses piping size and span tables to avoid mechanical natural frequencies.  Due to the complex geometry of most gas process piping, a mechanical analysis is often required to ensure the recommended separation margin.

Design Approach 3:

Acoustic Simulation and Piping Restraint Analysis Plus Mechanical Analysis (with Forced Mechanical Response Analysis if Necessary)

Includes Design Approach 2 analysis, with the addition of a Mechanical Analysis.  Compression Dynamics uses Caesar II to determine mechanical natural frequencies.  The first three piping natural frequency modes will be compared to the first two excitation (driver) frequencies to avoid mechanical resonance per the separation margin in API 618 5^th Ed.