Tech Transfer, Inc. offers unique capability and experience in reciprocating package design and analysis. Our services include compressor package design and structural, acoustical and piping analysis. We also offer field design and vibration analysis on new and existing installations. Tech Transfer specializes in compressor packages used for gas gathering and in pipelines, offshore platforms, Floating Production Storage & Offloading (FPSO) gas lift applications and other specialized facets of the industry. Our package designs range in capacity and size from 500 to 6500 brake horsepower, with some units weighing more than 350 tons. All this is carried out by members of our skilled team, who have diverse backgrounds with compressor manufacturers, packagers, engineering contractors, pipeline operators and major oil companies.

Field Analysis

For 20 years, Tech Transfer has provided accurate and reliable field vibration analysis of reciprocating compressor packages. Tech Transfer’s field data acquisition includes vibration and dynamic pulsation readings, and natural frequency bump tests on all units. In addition, we take complete sets of readings at various speeds for enginedriven and variable-frequency drive units. Our field vibration techniques and computer analysis methods result in effective solutions to pulsation and vibration problems and minimized down time. Tech Transfer’s work in the field led us to developing reciprocating compressor package designs for the packaging industry. Select packagers now rely on our design services.

A Single Source for Design and Analysis

During the course of a project, design changes will arise. Since Tech Transfer is a single source for design and analysis, coordination problems among multiple companies can be prevented. Tech Transfer can complete a compressor package design, with the required analysis, from piping and instrumentation diagrams and fabrication drawings. Performance analysis, equipment selection, skid design, vessel sizing and piping system design are all included in our services. As an aid to packagers, Tech Transfer can also perform torsional analysis thanks to our long-standing alliance with Rotor Bearing Technology Software (RBTS).

Experience in Analysis and Design

Because of Tech Transfer’s experience with new unit design and field vibration solutions, our acoustical analysis recommendations are simple, practical and effective. Tech Transfer’s recommendations are implemented successfully and are field-proven. Experience with a diversity of field problems over the years has also given Tech Transfer exceptional skill in correcting and reinventing flawed design. Tech Transfer’s reciprocating compressor package designs eliminate concern with field pulsation and vibration problems. Compressor packagers who are new to the industry do not have the specialized design and engineering experience needed to design effective reciprocating compressor packages. It is important that these packagers rely on experienced design teams like Tech Transfer from the get-go. We can complete initial designs for new packagers and complete fabrication drawings for all phases of the package design. Select reciprocating compressor manufacturers strongly recommend that their new distributors employ Tech Transfer’s package design services when entering the reciprocating compressor packaging business. Our services help prevent initial field problems with untested package design and ensure a high degree of package reliability.

Education

In addition to our design and analysis services, we also offer training to designers and engineers. Tech Transfer offers seminars in correct package equipment selection, package layout and design, and vessel and piping size, as well as other design techniques.

Offshore Experience

Tech Transfer provides complete design and analysis of foundations, piling mountings, offshore platform decks and FPSO compressor module installations on ships. We analyze loading due to storm winds, seismic accelerations (earthquakes), ship motions and blast simulations. To date, Tech Transfer has been involved in the design and successful installation of more than 150 reciprocating compressor packages on offshore platforms and over 20 compressor modules on FPSO ships. Additionally, Tech Transfer has designed and analyzed more reciprocation compressor modules installed on FPSOs than any other engineering services company. Offshore operators and packagers alike utilize Tech Transfer’s extensive offshore experience.

New Demands

Over the past 15 years, the oil and gas industry has come to demand higher performance and horsepower from reciprocating compressor manufacturers. As reciprocating compressor packages have been scaled up from smaller units, new field pulsation and vibration problems have arisen. Tech Transfer conducts field vibration analyses and solves these problems. We lead the industry in revolutionizing package skid and module designs.

Structural Modeling and Simulation

Tech Transfer has the unique ability to present multiple factors and analyses in a single structural model. We can present a complete compressor module and a large portion of the FPSO ship’s hull in a single structural model. This helps ensure correct stiffness values for determining natural frequencies. Compressor skids, concrete foundations and soil properties are also included in a single model. For concrete foundations and piling-mounted units, Tech Transfer also incorporates soil mechanical properties determined by specialized soil consultants. This ensures correct dynamic natural frequency and vibration analysis results for the structural system. Following this process, compressor operation is simulated with unbalanced forces (from mechanical and gas compression sources). During compressor simulation, vibration levels are monitored throughout the compressor skid and support structure. When necessary, we modify structural designs to lower vibration levels. Vibration levels calculated by Tech Transfer’s structural analysis actually match field readings to within a very small tolerance.

Fast and Accurate Acoustical Analysis

Over the last 8 years, Tech Transfer has become an industry leader in acoustical pulsation analysis for reciprocating compressor packagers. We developed in-house capabilities for completing various acoustical and mechanical analyses required by API 618 by using several commercially-available software programs. Tech Transfer’s computer analysis techniques and modeling methods were developed by comparing trial models to past field solutions and actual field readings. This resulted in unique modeling techniques that quickly produce reliable results.

Analysis Beyond Requirements

Because Tech Transfer’s team has field vibration analysis experience on over 1000 reciprocating compressor packages, we can recommend minimum vessel and nozzle wall thicknesses to prevent field vibration and fatigue problems. This service is offered in addition to API 618 requirements. If the project schedule is very short, this additional service allows the packager to order scrubber and bottle components quickly. If the project schedule and analysis scope allows, scrubber- and bottle- wall thicknesses can be optimized by dynamic mechanical analysis. Tech Transfer’s API 618 M5 analysis includes scrubbers and piping out to the first pipe support. The systems are modeled with true FEA plates (not beam-type) to ensure accurate model stiffness and dynamic mechanical analysis results. Based on extensive field bump tests, our computer-generated natural frequencies are consistently within 3 percent of actual field readings. API 618 piping natural frequency analysis (M7) and pressure-temperature stress analysis (M11) require the use of accurate pipe supports or pipe stiffness in the piping model. If these are not used, the piping analysis results will not be accurate. Tech Transfer provides additional service by not only using actual pipe supports in piping analysis models, but providing the compressor packager with pipe support design drawings that specify fabrication components. These drawings are not required, but we offer them as an additional service to provide the compressor packager with costsaving analysis. Even when customer specifications do not require a pulsation analysis, most reciprocating compressor packagers recommend acoustical pulsation, mechanical dynamic and structural analyses for very large compressor packages and critical compressor applications. These analyses help minimize field pulsation-vibration problems that require expensive repairs and cause production down time. In today’s oil and gas industry, some end users and operators are not familiar with the nature of reciprocating compressors and the need for pulsation and mechanical analyses. It is the compressor packager’s responsibility to recommend such optional analyses to their customers. We are eager to provide our customers with these optional analyses. If your company is a reciprocating compressor manufacturer, packager, or a user of reciprocating compressors, get to know Tech Transfer. We can increase your reciprocation compressor package reliability, optimize package designs, prevent costly field vibration problems and minimize lost production due to such problems.

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