Vibration and pressure pulsation elimination in a reciprocating compressor suction system using an acoustic filter

High vibration poses significant safety and operational risks to compressor components. This study presents a thorough investigation of the root causes analysis and corrective actions to resolve vibration-induced failures faced on the suction system of a reciprocating compressor. Excessive pressure pulsations in the suction bottle and strong mechanical coupling between the cylinders and suction bottle due to high cylinder gas forces were identified as the root causes of vibration-induced failure of the suction system. The proposed solutions to eliminate this problem were implemented by splitting the suction bottle into two parts and making one bottle as an acoustic filter (Helmholtz resonator). The acoustic filter was optimized for the suppression of pressure pulsations above its Helmholtz frequency and also for the avoidance of acoustic and mechanical resonance. After applying the proposed solutions, the modified suction system achieved a 14.3-61.1% reduction in vibration and a 75.56% reduction in peak-to-peak pressure pulsation for the compressor operating at 1000 rpm. The processing capacity of the compressor has been increased by 6.82%. An acoustic filter is an effective low-cost technical measure for reduction of pressure pulsation and fluid-induced vibration, which greatly increases the reliability of the entire compressor system.