Safety Aspects of Design of Cylinders and Hyper-Compressors for LDPE

Abstract

The cylinders of reciprocating compressors for low-density polyethylene are compound pressure vessels, although generally excluded by Pressure Vessels design codes. Safety is the most important design aspect to be taken into account, because of the very high loads, the extreme internal pressures and the nature of the process gas. The design must evaluate from the safety standpoint all possible failure modes of each component, so that the machine is absolutely safe, notwithstanding the highly severe working conditions. The means to allow a smooth and safe operation of the compressor is the control of overpressure and overloading. The use of innovative methods of simulation and modelling, together with new diagnostic systems with special features, allow very high safety levels, high availability and optimised maintenance procedures.