Hydrocarbon & Process Gas
Lubricants
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Hydrocarbon & Process Gas Compressor Lubricants
- Diagram for Flooded Rotary Screw Compressor
Gas Inlet Gas
Lubricant Scavenger Line
Discharge
Compressor Gas / Lube
Separator
Lubricant and Gas
Outlet Bearing
Oil Injection
Inlet Bearing
Shaft Seal
Thermal
By-Pass
Valve
Lube Cooler
Lube Pump
Filter
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Hydrocarbon & Process Gas Lubricants
Lubrication—Viscosity/Oil Film
• For a rotary screw compressor, typical viscosity
requirements are:
– Bearings — 10-20 cSt
– Rotors (mainly tips) — 5 cSt
– Seal Face — 4-15 cSt
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Hydrocarbon and Process Gas Compressor Lubricants
- Information Needed for Oil Recommendations
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Hydrocarbon and Process Gas Compressor Lubricants
- Other Considerations in Oil Recommendations
• Ambient Temperature Range
• Water Saturated, Dew Point
• End Use of the Gas
– Pipeline
– Vapor recovery
• Current fluid in use (if applicable)
– Compatibility?
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Hydrocarbon and Process Gas Compressor Lubricants
- Primary Considerations in Recommending Lubricants
• Lubricant dilution by gas lowers its operating viscosity
– Goal is to offer lubricants that address field variations
• Overall goals in making oil recommendations:
– Ensure that lubricant is not overly diluted
– Ensure that the operating viscosity is adequate
– Ensure that the lubricant protects against contaminants such as
sour gas, CO2 and high moisture
– Factor in dew point consideration
– Factor in OEM guidelines
• Reliability is the primary determining factor in selecting a
hydrocarbon gas compressor oil
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Hydrocarbon and Process Gas Compressor Lubricants
- Typical Hydrocarbon Gases
• Alkanes
– Usually combination of C1-C7
• Alkenes
– Ethylene
– Propylene
– Butylene
• Hydrogen Sulfide
• Water Vapor
• Inerts
– Nitrogen
– Carbon Dioxide
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Hydrocarbon & Process Gas Segment
Typical Industrial & Process Gases
• Industrial • Typical Lubricants used
– Carbon Dioxide – PAO
– Helium • Chemically inert
– Hydrogen • Thermal stability
– Nitrogen • Low dilution
• Low additive/gas purity
• Process
– Methyl Chloride
– Sulfur Dioxide
– Hydrochloric Acid
– Ammonia
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Hydrocarbon and Process Gas Compressor Lubricants
- Typical Hydrocarbon Gases
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Hydrocarbon and Process Gas Compressor Lubricants
- Oil Recommendation Process
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Hydrocarbon and Process Gas Compressor Lubricants
- Oil Recommendation Process
• Experience based on over 40 years of lubricant
recommendations as well as theoretical calculations
based on the thermodynamics of vapor-liquid equilibrium
• Dilution program calculates the estimated dilution of a
lubricant by hydrocarbons
– Because these are mixed gases, no lab test can simulate every
possibility
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Hydrocarbon & Process Gas Compressor Lubricants
- Product Formulations
• Base Oil
• Additives
– Antioxidants
– H2S Corrosion Inhibitor
– Defoamant
– Pour Point Depressant (Mineral Oils)
– Rust and Corrosion Inhibitors
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Hydrocarbon and Process Gas Compressor Lubricants
- Types of Base Oils Used
• HT Group II Mineral Oils
– Light gas applications (mostly methane or ethane)
– Light dilution
– Low temperature (less than ~200 F)
• PAOs
– Light gas applications
– Light dilution
– High temperature
• PAGs
– Medium to heavy dilution (mostly gases C4 or heavier)
– Low and high temperature
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CPI Engineering Services
- Lubricant Choices Offered by CPI
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Oil Recommendation Process
- Lubricant Choices Based on Field Conditions*
* Not a comprehensive list
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Hydrocarbon and Process Gas Compressor Lubricants
- CPI®-1005 Series and CPI®-1010 Series
– HT Group II mineral oil base
– Good chemical inertness
– Good thermal stability, Pour Point depressed
– Excellent water resistance & demulsibility
– Low vapor pressure
– Soluble with hydrocarbons
– Less dense (lighter) than water
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Hydrocarbon & Process Gas Compressor Lubricants
- Group II Mineral Oil based products
• CPI®-1005 Series
– Light dilution (soluble with hydrocarbons)
– Light, dry gas applications
– Discharge temperature <200F
– Sour gas (H2S containing) applications
• CPI®-1010 Series
– Light dilution (soluble with hydrocarbons)
– Light, dry gas applications
– Discharge temperature <200F
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Hydrocarbon & Process Gas Compressor Lubricants
- CPI®-4601 Series and CPI®-6005 Series
• Synthetic lubricant base
– PAO
• Excellent chemical inertness
• Excellent thermal stability
• Excellent water resistance & demulsibility
• Extremely low vapor pressure
• Soluble with hydrocarbons
• Less dense (lighter) than water
• Low pour point
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Hydrocarbon & Process Gas Lubricants
- PAO based products
• CPI®-4601 Series
– Light dilution (soluble with hydrocarbons)
– Light, dry gas applications
– Discharge temperature >200F
• CPI®-6005 Series
– Light dilution (soluble with hydrocarbons)
– Light, dry gas applications
– Discharge temperature >200F
– Sour gas (H2S containing) applications
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Hydrocarbon & Process Gas Lubricants
- PAG based products
• CPI®-1516 Series
– Light to medium hydrocarbons
– Resists hydrocarbon dilution, but not insoluble
– Propane refrigeration applications
– Water insoluble
• CPI®-1515 Series
– Medium to heavy hydrocarbons
– Limits hydrocarbon dilution (saturated at 20% wt.)
– Sour gas (H2S containing) applications
– Water soluble (insoluble at operating conditions)
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Hydrocarbon & Process Gas Lubricants
- PEG based products
• CPI®-1507 Series
– High dilution applications/heavy hydrocarbons
– Hydrocarbon insoluble
– Completely water soluble
• CPI®-1508 Series
– High dilution applications/heavy hydrocarbons
– Hydrocarbon insoluble
– Sour gas (H2S containing) applications
– Completely water soluble
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Hydrocarbon & Process Gas Compressor Lubricants
- Summary
• Application details are crucial in making a proper oil
recommendation
• Applications are diverse - one oil does not fit all
• CPI lubricant portfolio can support the diverse
applications and avoids “forcing” an oil recommendation
• CPI can provide oil recommendation and troubleshooting
support
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