Compressor Reliability Growth

This presentation will show how to analyze compressor reliability and how making the right decision at the best time can help solve technical problems and thereby avoid problems and loss of revenue. The compressor reliability growth in the Riyadh Refinery reflects a remarkable improvement over the past three years. The compressors availability during 2007 reached 99.5% compared with 94% in 2004. In addition, the number of nuisance trips was significantly reduced with only one trip reported in 2007 compared to six trips in 2004, and only seven trips over the three year period following 2004. In addition, there were no compressor breakdowns in the past three years, but there were three failures in 2004. This improvement is reflected by a savings of $1.1 million per year for the past three years, compared to a $3.25 million loss in 2003. These figures represent repair cost and associated production loss during compressor outage.

Key Words: Reliability Growth, Reliability Management, Cost Optimizing, Machinery Protection