500 Utility Gases: 510 500-3 520 Air Systems 500-3
500 Utility Gases: 510 500-3 520 Air Systems 500-3
Abstract
                      This section presents the engineering and physical principles used in the design and
                      selection of the major components in instrument/utility/starting air systems. Guide-
                      lines for the sizing and selection of the individual components are presented, as
                      well as calculation procedures, design parameters, a checklist, and a sample calcula-
                      tion procedure.
                      Information in the first and greater portion of this section is limited to compressed
                      air systems. Brief discussion regarding natural gas systems is contained in
                      Sub-section 550.
Contents Page
510 Introduction
                      Most Company facilities require a constant and reliable source of compressed air or
                      natural gas for instrument actuation, utility services, and starting mechanical equip-
                      ment. Natural gas is sometimes used for instruments and starting gas in smaller,
                      less complicated facilities and on offshore platforms. However, the trend is to phase
                      out natural gas use. This section primarily discusses compressed air systems;
                      however, Sub-section 550 discusses natural gas use.
                      Compressed air systems consist of compressors with drivers, aftercoolers, filters,
                      air receivers, dryers, and the required piping to distribute the air. Air systems can be
                      self-contained, skid-mounted packages or multiple, large compressors individually
                      installed. Instrument air, starting air, and utility air supplies may be integrated into
                      one package or may need to be separate systems, based on pressure, volume require-
                      ments, and efficiency. They must be capable of providing a continuous supply of
                      clean dry compressed air at the volume and pressure necessary.
                                                             P1V1n = P2V2n
                                                                                               (Eq. 500-2)
                      where:
                                   P1 = Absolute pressure at inlet
                                   V1 = Volume at inlet
                                   P2 = Absolute pressure at discharge
                                   V2 = Volume at discharge
                                    n = Polytropic exponent, from Figure 500-1
                      Examples of dynamic compressors are helical or centrifugal (refer to the Equip-
                      ment Type Selection section).
                    that by altering the design slightly and using other materials, such as Teflon, for the
                    parts lubricated compressors can be made into nonlubricated machines.
                    In lubricated air compressors oil is in direct contact with the air in the compression
                    section. The oil lubricates the moving parts and helps in sealing the compression
                    sections. Due to lower initial costs and maintenance, lubricated air compressors are
                    commonly used for utility/starting air and instrument air. However, the oil content
                    of the air must be monitored to prevent flammable concentrations in the down-
                    stream equipment. Special nonflammable lubricants are available, but they are
                    expensive. The basic types of lubricated air compressors are described in the
                    following paragraphs.
                    Rotary sliding vane compressor. See Figure 500-2 for a typical example. The
                    rotary sliding vane air compressor has as a basic element a cylindrical casing with a
                    head and rotor assembly. Sliding vane compressors are positive displacement
                    machines and so always compress the air to design pressure (regardless of the pres-
                    sure in the receiver into which it is discharging).
                    Fig. 500-2   Typical Rotary Sliding Vane Compressor (Courtesy of A-C Compressor. A Dover
                                 Diversified Company)
                      Because of the reciprocating pistons and other reciprocating parts, inertia forces are
                      set up that create vibration. To reduce vibration, a balanced opposed machine should
                      be specified. A mounting that will stabilize the installation is necessary. The extent
                      of this requirement will depend on the type and size of the air compressor involved.
                      The type that is most commonly used is the vertical or Y-type trunk piston (i.e., no
                      crossheads) unit with air-cooled cylinders that are lubricated from the crankcase.
                      See Figure 500-3 for a typical example.
                      Fig. 500-3   Y-Type Trunk Piston Lubricated Reciprocating Compressor (Courtesy of Bellis &
                                   Morcom)
                      In Gulf of Mexico applications, the flow rate at 120 psi discharge pressure for a
                      reciprocating air compressor is usually less than 300 SCFM. Some of the advan-
                      tages of this type of air compressor are:
                      •    Less equipment required for cooling
                      •    Noise level lower than most other air compressor types
                      Helical compressor. See Figure 500-4 for a typical example. The helical lobe, or
                      spiral (screw) lobe air compressor is a two-rotor, positive-displacement rotary unit
                      compressing air between the intermeshing helical lobes and the rotor chambers of
                      the housing. The lubricated, helical air compressor uses a flood of oil through the
                      machine to lubricate, seal, and cool the compressed air.
                      In a rotary compressor, the built-in or design compression ratio is the ratio that has
                      been attained when the fixed discharge port is uncovered. This ratio is determined
                      by the location of the opening edges of the discharge port and the wrap angle of the
                      lobes. A helical lobe compressor (and most other rotary units) can have an oper-
                      ating ratio somewhat higher or lower than the design ratio, without impacting effi-
                      ciency.
                      The practical flow rate for a helical air compressor with 120 psi discharge pressure
                      is 80 to 3000 CFM.
                       Nonlubricated compressors
                       Nonlubricated compressors are machines that use no liquid lubricant of any type
                       within the compression cylinder. Compared to lubricated machines, nonlubricated
                       units will have a higher initial cost, usually require more space, and experience
                       more downtime for maintenance. The maintenance will frequently be many times
                       greater than with lubricated compressors because of the greater need for routine
                    Drivers
                    Diesel drivers are generally specified as standby or “black” start compressor drivers,
                    while electrical drivers are recommended for use as normal compressor drivers. For
                    specifics regarding drivers, refer to the Driver Manual.
                    Diesel Drivers. Diesel drivers are generally used in the range of 100 to 800 HP and
                    in speed ranges of about 700 to 1500/1800 RPM. Diesel drivers have the following
                    applications:
                    •    Low speed loads, such as reciprocating pumps and compressors
                    •    As a source of power for standby equipment, such as emergency generators and
                         fire water pumps
                    •    On-off applications where high starting torque is required, such as cranes and
                         winches
                    Electrical Drivers. For applications of 460-volt motors (generally rated less than
                    250 HP), the most common motor used is the totally enclosed, fan-cooled (TEFC)
                    enclosure type. These motors can be purchased using DRI-MS-1824, included in the
                    Driver Manual.
                    Motors rated 250 HP and above, at voltages of 2300 volts and above, can be
                    purchased using a general-purpose specification (DRI-MS-4814) or a special-
                    purpose specification (DRI-MS-3903). The specification used depends on the criti-
                      cality of service, the horsepower, and the speed of the motor. See the Driver Manual
                      for more information.
                      Coolers
                      Cooling the compressed air has three objectives: (1) to lower the air temperature to
                      near ambient, (2) reduce the volume, and (3) to condense water vapor for removal.
                      Air coolers are necessary on all types of compressors.
                      Interstage Cooler. The interstage cooler is the heat exchanger located between the
                      discharge of one stage and the suction of the following stage. It is actually an inte-
                      gral part of the compressor. Intercooling gas between stages will:
                      •   Reduce the temperature
                      •   Reduce the volume to be compressed in the succeeding stage
                      •   Liquify condensable vapor
                      •   Save power
                      Aftercooler. Aftercoolers are available in many types, arrangements, and designs.
                      Typically, finned tube, air-cooled heat exchangers are used that are directly driven
                      by the compressor driver. They should be sized to cool the discharge air to within
                      20°F of ambient temperature and fitted with automatic condenser traps. Where
                      space is limited, integrated aftercoolers are preferred over the free-standing type.
                      The use of desiccant dryers in instrument air service requires compressor after-
                      coolers, because 120°F is the maximum inlet dryer temperature at which the desic-
                      cant will dry the air.
                      An aftercooler should be located downstream of each compressor (with a block
                      valve downstream of each aftercooler), to maintain a closed system should one
                      compressor be removed for repairs. With reciprocating compressors, a potential
                      problem exists for aftercoolers leaking when pulsating flow loosens the tubes.
                      Consult the manufacturer concerning his recommendations on this problem. The
                      design pressure and temperature for an aftercooler are the same as those for the
                      compressor. For a two-stage compressor discharging at a maximum of 125 psig, the
                      design is typically set at 150 psig. The design temperature on the outlet of a two-
                      stage compressor is normally 300°F.
                      Filters
                      Filters are used to remove dirt, oil, and water from the compressed air system.
                      Filters are generally located upstream of the compressor (inlet filter) and the instru-
                      ment dryer (prefilter), and downstream of the aftercooler (filter/separator), the
                      instrument dryer (prefilter), and the dryer (afterfilter).
                      All filter installations, other than the inlet filter, should have two parallel, full-flow
                      filters to avoid downtime during maintenance. Cartridges should be independently
                      replaceable. To avoid accidental contamination of the clean downstream system, do
                      not use bypass valves around filters.
                      Inlet filters. The inlet filter can be a dry, oil-bath, or viscous-impingement type.
                    A typical dry filter is shown in Figure 500-7. The dry filter media is either a felted
                    cloth or lightly oil-coated paper. These are excellent filters where the pulsations are
                    not severe, such as a reciprocating compressor with a dampener or a rotary
                    compressor. Nonlubricated compressors should always use a dry inlet filter to keep
                    oil from entering the compressor and, as a consequence, the air system.
Fig. 500-7 A Typical Dry-Type Inlet Filter (Courtesy of the Dollinger Corporation)
                        •    They allow oil carryover and therefore should not be used for nonlubricated
                             compressors.
                        Figure 500-10 shows a viscous-impingement filter. These filters have woven or
                        packed wire cells coated with oil. As the air enters the filter, dust and other solid
                        particles are trapped in the oil and held against the wire until the filter is manually
                        cleaned.
                    Fig. 500-9   Oil-Bath Inlet Filter (Courtesy of Air-Maze Division, Rockwell-Standard Corpora-
                                 tion)
                      In coalescence the air stream passes through a dense element, such as metal strands
                      or wire mesh. Liquid droplets in the air are trapped on the strands, coalesce into
                      larger droplets, and fall to the bottom of the filter where they are removed.
                      Prefilter/Afterfilter. The prefilter and afterfilter on the instrument air dryer can be
                      either centrifugal or coalescence types. These filters are not specified separately,
                      because they are an integral part of the dryer. Readily available filters will remove
                      particles larger than 0.1 µm.
                      The prefilter removes entrained oil or water. Otherwise, the oil will be irreversibly
                      adsorbed by the desiccant in the dryer, thus reducing drying efficiency and
                      decreasing desiccant life.
                      An afterfilter should be installed to prevent dryer desiccant particles or dust from
                      being carried over into the instrument air system.
                      Dryers
                      The instrument air and, in specific applications or cold environments, the utility air
                      must be dried to avoid liquid water in the air system. Water in the air system results
                      in corrosion and freezeups. The way to prevent condensation of water in air lines is
                      to lower the dew point of the air entering the system. This is achieved by drying the
                      air. Air dryers are of two basic types: adsorption (regenerative) and deliquescent
                      (chemical absorption). Refrigeration may be used to give partial lowering of the
                      dew point through lower-temperature condensation.
                      Adsorption. The most common method of drying air, on an offshore platform, is by
                      the method of adsorption. The two types of adsorption dryers are the heaterless and
                      heated regenerative ones.
                      Heaterless Regenerative Desiccant Dryer. Two towers of desiccant, usually acti-
                      vated alumina or silica gel, are used in the heaterless regenerative dryer. The wet air
                      passes through one of the towers which dries the air by adsorbing moisture onto the
                      desiccant. At the same time, the other tower is reactivated by diverting a portion of
                      the dry air (from 7 to 17% of the total air flow rate) through a pressure throttling
                      valve (to reduce the air pressure to atmosphere) in order to desorb water from the
                      desiccant and remove it through the saturated desiccant bed. This air, with the mois-
                      ture it has picked up from the regenerating tower, is vented to the atmosphere. When
                      the desiccant in the first tower has become saturated, the second tower has been
                      regenerated. The process is then automatically switched, so that the air is dried in
                      the second tower while the first tower is being regenerated.
                      Dryer size is based on inlet air pressure, flow rate and moisture content. Design
                      flow is the combined outlet and purge air flows. See Figures 500-11 and 500-12 for
                      typical examples of a twin-tower, heaterless regenerative desiccant dryer.
                      Heated Regenerative Desiccant Dryer. See Figure 500-13 for a typical example.
                      The heated regenerative desiccant dryer is similar to the heaterless type, except for
                      the addition of electrically powered desiccant heaters inside the towers.
                      The procedure for drying the air is the same in both types. The difference occurs
                      during the regeneration cycle. To lessen the amount of purge air (usually only 2 to
                                                                         (A) and out through the purge exhaust. The regenerating purge flow
                                                                         is countercurrent to the direction of drying to ensure desiccant
                                                                         regeneration.
                                                                         When the regeneration cycle is complete, the chamber being regen-
                                                                         erated is repressurized to full operating pressure by closing the
                                                                         purge exhaust. Purge gas continues to flow into the chamber until the
                                                                         pressure rises to system pressure. Inlet gas is then switched over to
                                                                         chamber 2 (Figure 12B) through valve assembly A for drying. Repres-
                                                                         surization before switchover ensures that the desiccant will not be
                                                                         “jolted” by the inrushing downward gas flow and thus prevents
                                                                         desiccant attrition (dusting).
                                                                         A drying period of 5 minutes provides an effluent dewpoint of -40°F or
                                                                         better (at operating pressure). The full 5 minutes is used for the
                                                                         drying period; however, during the regeneration process, which is
                                                                         occurring in the offstream chamber simultaneously with drying in the
                                                                         onstream chamber, approximately 30 seconds is allowed for chamber
                                                                         repressurization before going back onstream at switchover. Thus a
                                                                         complete cycle consists of two periods of equal length, one drying
                                                                         and the other depressurization, regeneration and repressurization.
                             7% is required), heat is added to aid in regenerating desiccant. The usual dew point
                             for this type of dryer is -60°F.
                             The advantage of the heated dryer when compared to the heaterless dryer is a
                             reduction in the required amount of purge air as well as a lower dew point. The
                             disadvantages of the heated dryer when compared to the heaterless dryer are
                             increased maintenance and the requirement for electricity. The heaterless dryer is
                      used in most offshore applications, while the heated regenerative dryer is used in the
                      majority of all others.
                      Deliquescent Dryer. The deliquescent dryer is simply a pressure vessel filled with
                      deliquescent desiccant. Air enters at the top and flows down a central pipe that
                      contains prefilters to remove dirt, water, and oil. The cleaned air then flows up
                      through a desiccant bed. As the desiccant removes water from the air, it slowly
                      dissolves. The desiccant used is based mostly on sodium chloride or potassium
                      carbonate. The desiccant by itself is generally not corrosive. However, because of
                      the desiccant’s affinity for moisture and the presence of oxygen in the air stream,
                      rust or oxidation occur easily if the inside of the dryer is not adequately coated and
                      equipped with an adequately coated afterfilter. An afterfilter prevents any desiccant
                      material from being carried over downstream. The exit dew point is determined by
                      the inlet air temperature. The dryer will lower the dew point 20 to 30°F from the
                      inlet temperature.
                      Because it has no moving parts, this dryer has the advantage of high reliability. The
                      disadvantage of the dryer is that operating costs are higher than a regenerative
                      dryer, because daily monitoring and frequent replacement of desiccant and filters
                      are required. An obvious environmental disadvantage is the need for frequent
                      disposal of spent chemicals.
                      Refrigerant Dryer (A partial dehydration). The refrigerant dryer lowers the dew
                      point of the air by cooling the air, which causes a partial condensation of the mois-
                      ture so that it can be removed in a separator. The air is then reheated.
                      These dryers are rated at line pressure, either 50°F or 35°F dew point depression.
                      Any lower dew point would freeze the condensate and block air flow. The refrigera-
                      tion units used in these dryers require a continuous electrical supply during opera-
                      tion. Other operating costs are minimal, except for some large flow capacity
                      refrigerated dryers that may require a water-to-air heat exchanger. These units are
                      seldom used offshore. Obviously these units cannot be used where ambient temper-
                      atures fall below freezing, unless placed in a heated building.
                      Air Receivers
                      Air receivers perform four functions in air systems:
                      •   They provide a storage reservoir for the system.
                      •   They dampen the pulsating effect of the compressor.
                      •   They remove oil, condensed moisture, and particulate matter.
                      •   They limit the number of times the compressor will load and unload.
                      Receivers are usually classified by application as instrument air receivers, utility air
                      receivers, or starting air receivers.
                      Instrument air receiver. The instrument air receiver is located downstream of the
                      dryer, for instrument air storage. Typically, this receiver is sized to contain the
                      maximum demand without makeup, for a usual time limit of 20 minutes. In certain
                      situations, such as satellite wells, the reserve may need to be greater than 20
                        minutes. In other situations, such as a reliable emergency power source, the reserve
                        may be less than 20 minutes.
                        Utility Air Receiver. When the utility air is taken from the instrument air
                        compressor, the utility air receiver takeoff is usually located upstream of the dryer
                        prefilter. In certain applications or in cold environments, the utility air may need to
                        be dried to prevent air lines from freezing. When the utility air is taken from the
                        instrument air compressor, a pressure control valve must be used to prevent utility
                        air demands from starving instrument air requirements. Another option is for utility
                        air to have a completely separate supply system.
                        Starting Air Receiver. The starting air is usually taken from the utility air or a dedi-
                        cated compressor, depending on the size and number of engines to be started. The
                        starting air receiver should be sized to provide a minimum of three consecutive
                        starts for the largest piece of equipment, with no additional air supplied to the tank.
                        Design. The design pressure and temperature of the air receiver are the same as
                        those of the aftercooler. The instrument air receiver should be designed for a
                        working pressure equivalent to the compressor discharge plus 10%. The maximum
                        design pressure should be 200 psig or the compressor discharge pressure plus 25%,
                        whichever is greater. The utility air receiver should be designed for a working pres-
                        sure equivalent to the compressor discharge pressure plus 20%. The maximum
                        design pressure should be 300 psig or the compressor discharge pressure plus 25%,
                        whichever is greater. The air receiver may be either horizontal or vertical. Usually a
                        vertical vessel is used to facilitate installation of a demister pad. A vertical vessel
                        also requires less plot area.
                        The receiver inlet nozzle should be located at least 30 inches above the bottom
                        tangent line. The air outlet nozzle is located on the top head. The drain nozzle is
                        located on the bottom head. Because vertical types are commonly used, the vessel
                        support is usually a skirt (pulsations from the compressor tend to weaken any other
                        type of support). See Figure 500-14 for the recommended size of receivers.
                        Skid
                        The skid for the instrument/utility/starting air systems should be designed to contain
                        and support the system during installation and operation. Design guidance is avail-
                        able in the Civil and Structural Manual or in Offshore DP1.01-1, Skids and Base
                        Plates. See Figure 500-15 for air compressor skid space parameters and
                        Figure 500-16 for air compressor skid weight versus capacity.
     (1)    Minimum Based on One Minute at Actual Compressor Capacity and 100 psig System
     (2)    CFM of Free Air at Compressor Inlet
     (3)    For Constant-Speed Regulation
     (4)    For Automatic Start and Stop Service
(1) Each skid has two 100% compressors, dryers, and receivers
                           only diesel drivers are to be started, it is common to use the starting air from the
                           utility air supply.
                           •      Maximum and minimum allowable air delivery pressure in psig. (The rotating
                                  equipment manufacturer will state required starting air pressure and rate.)
                           •      Maximum relative humidity at platform location (If better data is not available,
                                  assume saturated and salt-laden if near salt water at maximum ambient temper-
                                  ature.)
Fig. 500-21 Starting Air Compressor Parameters for Common Turbine Alternators
                                     Maximum
                                     Operating               Rated                 Approx.
           Turbine                   Pressure,              Capacity,              Driver,             Approx.        Approx. Skid
          Alternator                   PSIG                  SCFM                    HP               Weight, KIPS    Size, L×W, FT
         Solar Saturn                    250                     75                    30                    4            10 × 4
        Ruston TA-1750                   250                     75                    30                    4            10 × 4
        Ruston TA-2500                   250                     75                    30                    4            10 × 4
        Solar Centaur                    400                    200                    80                    6            9×5
        Ruston TB-5000                   400                    200                    80                    6            9×5
         Solar Mars(1)                   500                    200                   100                    7            9×5
          Avon 1535                      400                    125                    50                    5            10 × 4
         GE LM-2500                      250                    200                   100                    6            9×5
 Note     Consult manufacturer data for current requirements. These values are stated as typicals only.
(1) Two compressors of the tabulated sizes and weights are required for Solar Mars turbine alternator.
                             Prerequisites
                             The designer should be familiar with the applicable design practices and specifica-
                             tions that are commonly used by his organization for purchasing or constructing
                             compressors, skids, pressure vessels, electrical equipment, instrumentation, and
                             piping.
                             References are listed at the end of this section.
                             The designer should acquaint himself with the following details concerning his
                             facility:
                             •     Space and weight limitations (especially on platforms)
                             •     Classified (hazardous) areas, so as to locate the air system in a nonhazardous
                                   area
                             •     Overall equipment layout to determine if multiple receivers are required
                             •     Required maximum starting air flow rate and pressure (obtain from the
                                   machinery vendors)
                             •     Time limit of reserve air capacity after compressor failure (Unless better data is
                                   available, use the instrument demand for 20 minutes for continuously moni-
                                   tored facilities. For unmanned facilities, greater reserve is needed. Verify
                                   requirements.)
        543 Calculations
                    To design an instrument/utility air compression system, the following factors must
                    be calculated:
                    •    Air consumption
                    •    Ratio per stage
                    •    Driver horsepower
                    •    Size of receivers
                    An allowance must be made for moisture in the air when calculating compressor
                    horsepower because the moisture requires an increase in compressor horsepower.
                    The moisture should be considered as another component in the mixture. Moisture
                    in air affects the molecular weight, specific gravity, density, gas constant (R),
                    specific heat ratio (K), and the polytropic exponent (n). The polytropic head for a
                    given pressure rise is altered and inlet volumes must be corrected.
                    As a rule-of-thumb, if the air compressor is less than 10 horsepower and the
                    discharge pressure is less than 100 psig, it is usually single stage. Many air compres-
                    sion problems involve conditions beyond the practical capability of a single
                    compression stage. If the discharge temperature is above 300°F or the discharge
                    pressure is above 100 psig, a two stage compressor should be specified. When
                      using a multistage compressor, the air is always cooled between stages to reduce
                      the temperature and volume entering the subsequent stage.
                      For a detailed discussion on calculating the compressor horsepower, the reader
                      should refer to the Compressor Manual.
                      To specify compressor drivers refer to the Driver Manual. A quick method for
                      approximating the horsepower for reciprocating compressors is included herein,
                      using the simple equation from the Engineering Data Book, Gas Processors
                      Suppliers Association.
                      Step 2. Determine the air consumption in standard cubic feet per minute
                      (SCFM).
                      In calculating instrument air consumption, a table such as the following should be
                      established.
                                                                  Subtotal
                                                                    Contingency 20%
                                                                  Total Air Consumption________
                      The air consumption rate of each item can be obtained from the manufacturer. The
                      tabulation of the air consumed is a simple process if it is done after the mechanical
                      flow sheets are completed. If not, the design basis must be partially assumed.
                      However, when the flow sheets are complete, a final check must be made. Refer to
                      the previous discussions for general sizing guidelines. In estimating instrument air
                      demand, the following consumption rates can be used as a guide:
                      •   1.35 SCFM for each panel mounted small case controller
                      •   0.65 SCFM for each field transmitter, controller, and manual loading station
                      •   1.00 SCFM for each valve positioner or transducer using under 40 psig air
                      •   2.00 SCFM for each valve positioner or transducer using over 40 psig air
                      Control valves are not counted separately because the air used to actuate them does
                      not continuously bleed. Also, the applicable dryer purge air must be added to the
                      total system consumption.
                      The usual air consumption contingency for the instrument air system is 20%: 10%
                      for future addition and 10% for losses and leaks. The compressor itself should be
                      oversized by a final 10 to 20% to avoid overload operation, but these contingencies
                         should be examined for cost worthiness. It is easy to over invest in the instrument
                         air system.
                         In calculating utility air demand, a table similar to the one shown above should be
                         established. See Figure 500-22 for utility air loads.
                                                                  r t = Pd / Pi
                                                                                                        (Eq. 500-3)
                         where:
                                     rt = Total compression ratio
                                    Pd = Discharge pressure, psia
                                    Pi = Inlet pressure, psia
                                                              r = s rt
                                                                                                 (Eq. 500-4)
                      where:
                                  r = Ratio/stage
                                  s = Number of compression stages
                                  rt = Total compression ratio
                      For single-stage compressors, the ratio/stage varies from 7.8 to 9.5. For two-stage
                      compressors, the ratio/stage typically varies from 3 to 5.
Fig. 500-23 Compressor Brake Horsepower (From Compressed Air & Gas Data ed. by A. W. Loomis  1982 by Inger-
            soll-Rand. Courtesy of Dresser-Rand)
                                                 V = (14.7)(t)(SCFM)/(P1 − P2)
                                                                                                  (Eq. 500-6)
                      where:
                                  V = Volume of the receiver, ft3
                                   t = Time in minutes
                             SCFM = Normal air consumption, standard cubic feet per minute
                                 P1 = Upper set pressure of utility air pressure controller, when sizing
                                      the utility air receiver and utility air system backpressure valve
                                      setting when sizing the instrument air receiver, psig
                                 P2 = Lowest pressure at which system will operate, psig (pressure at
                                      which the emergency air cuts in; usually 100 psi)
                      Another method to size receivers is to use a nomograph like the one in
                      Figure 500-26.
                      Step 8.   Starting air receivers are sized for minimum air volumes.
                      Ascertain the number of start attempts for the largest piece of equipment. If the
                      number is not predetermined, three start attempts are usually used. The receiver
                      will be sized on this air volume.
Fig. 500-24 Properties of Air-Water Vapor Mixture (From Compressed Air & Gas Data ed. by A. W. Loomis  1982 by
            Ingersoll-Rand. Courtesy of Dresser-Rand)
           544 Checklist
                        Figure 500-27 is a checklist of the design of instrument/utility air compression
                        systems. Certain items are presented here because experience has indicated that
                        they may be overlooked.
                      For Utility Air. The values listed in Section 543, Calculation STEP 2 and in
                      Figure 500-22, “Utility Air Services and Loads,” will be used. The worksheet is as
                      shown in Figure 500-29.
                      For Starting Air. Assume the largest piece of equipment on the platform is a 0.8
                      MW gas turbine/generator requiring 650 SCF of air to start and capacity for three
                      start attempts.
                      Starting air required (650 ft3) (3) = 1950 ft3 at 160 psig.
rt = Pd/Pi
Step 8. Calculate the starting air receiver size, from Equation 500-7.
                                  V = (14.7)(Vr)/(P1 - P2)
                                  V = (14.7)(1950)/(258 - 170)
                                  V = 358 ft3
                      The deciding factor is usually a combination of all of the above. For small installa-
                      tions, natural gas instrument systems are often more reliable and much more cost-
                      effective.
560 References
                    Note Unless otherwise stated, reference is to the latest published edition of the
                    publication listed.
                    Evans, Jr., Frank L., Equipment Design Handbook for Refineries and Chemical
                    Plants, Second Edition, 1979.
                    Ingersoll-Rand Co., Compressed Air and Gas Data.
                    American Petroleum Institute (API), 1220 L Street, N.W. Washington, D.C.
                    20005
                    STD 618        Reciprocating Compressors for General Refinery Services
                                   from GS5.02-1
                    STD 661        Air-Cooled Heat Exchangers for General Refinery Services
                    STD 680        Packaged Reciprocating Plant and Instrument Air Compres-
                                   sors for General Refinery Services
                    American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), 1916 Race St., Philadel-
                    phia, PA 19103
                    Pressure Vessels, Section VIII
                    Gas Processors Suppliers Association (GPSA)
                    Engineering Data Book
                    Instrument Society of America (ISA)
                    ISA-S7.3 Quality Standard for Instrument Air
                    National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
                    MG-1 Motors and Generators
                    Tubular Exchanger Manufacturers Association (TEMA)
                    Heat Exchangers, Class C