Turbomachinery Control System Design Objectives

This whitepaper outlines the design objectives for turbomachinery control systems, emphasizing the importance of maximizing both machine and process reliability. It details how a well-designed control system must account for various process disturbances, including pressure waves and gas composition changes, which can significantly impact compressor control. The document explains that machine reliability is intrinsically linked to process reliability, particularly in preventing surge incidents that can lead to machine trips and process downtime. Best practices for design include verifying control loop elements' speed and accuracy, integrating control systems, and automating sequencing to enhance operational efficiency. Additionally, the paper discusses the criticality of accurate speed control in variable speed applications and the necessity of minimizing energy consumption while maintaining process efficiency. It also highlights the need for effective load sharing in turbo-compressor systems to optimize performance and reduce unnecessary energy expenditure. Overall, the whitepaper serves as a comprehensive guide for designing effective turbomachinery control systems.