G A S C O M P R E S S I O N:

A PRIMER ON GAS COMPRESSION EQUIPMENT & TECHNOLOGY

BY W. NORM SHADE, PE

11
Compression Terms,
Acronyms, and
Units of Measure

C H A P T E R

A basic introduction to gas compression,

intended for operators, maintenance
technicians, supervisors, engineers, stu-
dents, and others who want to gain a fun-
damental understanding of gas compres-
sor rating, application, analysis, and control.

The following is an excerpt from the forthcoming book, Gas Compression: A Primer On Gas Compression Equipment & Technology. Each
month, Gas Compression Magazine will publish approximately one chapter. At a later date, it is planned that all the individual chapters
and sections will be combined into a comprehensive text book that will include sample problems and even some homework assignments.
 Part I:
Introduction to Compression: Compressor Types and Applications

11 CHAPTER

Compression Terms, Acronyms, and Units of Measure

As closure to Par t I of this four-par t primer on compres- Adiabatic Exponent. A thermodynamic term for a pure gas
sion equipment and technology, it is useful to identify and SVEKEWQM\XYVIXLEXMWXLIVEXMSSJXLIWTIGM½GLIEXEXGSR-
HI½RIERYQFIVSJGSQQSRP]YWIHGSQTVIWWMSRXIVQWEG- WXERXTVIWWYVIGp
XSXLIWTIGM½GLIEXEXGSRWXERXZSPYQIGv).
ronyms, and accepted units of measure. Compressors and
XLIMVETTPMGEXMSRWLEZIQER]HIWGVMTXMZIXIVQWXLEXHIWGVMFI
their construction and performance. Additionally, there are
commonly accepted units of measure that apply to cer tain
XIVQW ERH TEVEQIXIVW XLEX HIWGVMFI GSQTVIWWSV ERH TVS-
cess performance.
COMMON COMPRESSION TERMS
8LI JSPPS[MRK EPTLEFIXMGEP PMWX MRGPYHIW MQTSV XERX XIVQW
XLEX EVI GSQQSRP] YWIH XS HIWGVMFI GSQTVIWWSVW XLIMV
construction, and their performance. Although the list is
VIEWSREFP]PSRKMXMWGIVXEMRP]RSXEPPIRGSQTEWWMRK%QYGL
QSVI I\XIRWMZI PMWX SJ XIVQW GER FI JSYRH MR Illustrated
Dictionary of Essential Process Machinery Terms.1 The Gas
Processors Suppliers Association’s Engineering Data Book,
Adiabatic Head. 8LIIRIVK]X]TMGEPP]MRJXPFf) required to
GSQTVIWWEHMEFEXMGEPP]ERHHIPMZIVPFm of a given gas from
a lower pressure to a higher pressure.
Adiabatic Horsepower. The thermodynamic power, 0 Pdv,
required to compress the gas in one end of a reciprocating
compressor cylinder from its suction connection to its dis-
charge connection, exclusive of any valve losses or mechani-
cal losses such as seal friction.
Aftercooler. A heat exchanger for cooling the air or gas
stream discharged from a compressor.
Ambient Temperature. The atmospheric temperature in
the area where equipment is located.
Atmospheric Pressure. 8LI TVIWWYVI I\IV XIH F] XLI
IEVXL´WEXQSWTLIVIEPWSVIJIVVIHXSEWXLIFEVSQIXVMGTVIW-
WYVISVEFWSPYXIEQFMIRXTVIWWYVI%WXERHEVHSJQQ,K
Volumes I2 and 2,3 as well as the Society of Petroleum Engi-
MR,KSVTWMEMWYWIHEWEWXERHEVH
neers’ PetroWiki4 are excellent references for terms used in
gas processing, including compression and expansion.
Absolute Pressure. 8LI WYQ SJ EXQSWTLIVMG EQFMIRX
pressure and gauge pressure.
Actual Cubic Feet Per Minute (ACFM). 8LI GYFMG JIIX
QIVGYV]
for some measurements.
Axial. The direction of the equipment shaft centerline.
Axial Compressor. % H]REQMG GSRXMRYSYW ¾S[ QEGLMRI
YXMPM^MRK SRI SV QSVI VS[W SJ EMVJSMPW SV FPEHIW EXXEGLIH XS
rotating disks to accelerate and add energy to gas passing axi-
TIVQMRYXISJKEWSVEMV¾S[EXXLIEGXYEPSTIVEXMRKTVIW-
sure and temperature) conditions.
Adiabatic Compression. A thermodynamic compression
process from a lower to a higher pressure in which there is
no heat transferred to or from the gas during the compres-
sion cycle.
%HMEFEXMG)J½GMIRG]The ratio of the work output for an
ideal isentropic compression process to the work input to
develop the required head.
Adiabatic Expansion. A thermodynamic expansion process
from a higher to a lower pressure in which there is no heat
transferred to or from the gas during the expansion cycle.
ally through it, creating velocity that is decelerated in trailing
WXEXMSREV]HMJJYWIVWFPEHIWSVZSPYXIWXSKIRIVEXITVIWWYVI
Balance Piston. An internal component in a rotary com-
pressor designed to counter the thrust force on the rotor
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Barometric Pressure.8LITVIWWYVII\IV XIHF]XLIIEV XL´W
atmosphere; also referred to as the atmospheric pressure or
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Blade.%R]SJERYQFIVSJEMVJSMPWLETIHZERIWEWWIQFPIH
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gas and extract energy, or around the periphery of a com-
TVIWWSVVSXSVXSKYMHIXLI¾S[ERHMQTEV XIRIVK]
gascompressionmagazine.com | MAY 2017 25
 Blow Case. A small tank in which liquid is accumulated and
then forced from the tank by applying gas or air pressure
above the liquid level.
Blow Down. The act of emptying or depressurizing a pres-
surized vessel or system.
Brake Horsepower. The actual amount of horsepower
GSRWYQIH SV TVSHYGIH F] E ¾YMH QEGLMRI EW QIEWYVIH
on a pony brake or dynamometer. For compressors, it is
also the total power required for compression at a set of
WTIGM½IHSTIVEXMRKGSRHMXMSRWHI½RIHEWXLIWYQSJXLIKEW
and friction horsepower of all cylinder ends, the crankcase
friction and windage horsepower, and the horsepower re-
quired by any pumps and auxiliary equipment driven off the
compressor crankcase.
shaft to pressurize and transfer gas from a lower pressure
to a higher pressure.
Compressor Package. % GSQTPIXI ½IPHVIEH] WLSTEW-
sembled gas compression system consisting of a compres-
sor, gas engine or electric motor driver, controls and safety
equipment, cooling systems, inlet air and exhaust systems,
process gas piping and separators, pulsation control (for
reciprocating compressors), and utility systems, usually con-
tained on one or more I-beam fabricated skids.
Compressor Piston. The moving element within a recip-
rocating compressor cylinder that is operated by the com-
pressor crankshaft to compress and transfer gas from a
lower pressure to a higher pressure.
Compressor Valve. A specially designed check valve that
BTU Content. The heat value or amount of energy, mea- GSRXVSPWXLI¾S[SJKEWMRXSMIWYGXMSR
ERHSYXSJMI
sured in British thermal units (BTU), obtained from the
combustion of a volume of natural gas. One BTU is the
quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 lb of
water by 1°F at standard atmospheric pressure.
Bushing. A plain hydrodynamic bearing mounted within a
housing to provide a bearing surface for a rotating shaft.
Bypass. A line with a control valve that is used to recycle
gas from a high pressure to a low pressure, typically from
the discharge to the suction of a compressor.
Capacity.8LI QE\MQYQ SV VEXIH ¾S[ VEXI XLEX GER FI
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conditions.
Catalytic Converter. An emissions control device that
conver ts toxic and/or regulated combustion by-products in
the exhaust of an internal combustion engine or turbine to
less toxic substances by way of catalyzed chemical reactions.
Centrifugal Compressor.%H]REQMGGSRXMRYSYW¾S[QE-
chine in which one or more rotating impellers accelerate
gas passing into it axially and out of it radially, creating ve-
locity that is decelerated in trailing stationary diffusers or
volutes to generate pressure.
Clearance Pocket. An auxiliary volume that may be
opened to communicate with the end clearance of a re-
ciprocating compressor cylinder to increase the volumetric
GPIEVERGIXSVIHYGIXLIZSPYQIXVMGIJ½GMIRG]ERHXLIVIJSVI
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Clearance Volume. The internal volume remaining in a
compressor cylinder end when the piston is at the outer
end of its stroke, i.e., closest to the end wall of the cylinder.
Compressibility Factor. A factor, usually expressed as “Z,”
which is the ratio of the actual volume of gas at a given tem-
perature and pressure to the volume of gas when calculated
by the Ideal Gas Law.
Compression. The process of pressing or compacting a
trapped mass of gas into a smaller space or volume.
Compression Ratio. The ratio of the absolute discharge
pressure from a compressor to the absolute suction pres-
sure. It can apply to one cylinder or stage of a reciprocating
compressor or to one or more stages within a single section
of a centrifugal, axial, or rotary compressor.
Compressor Cylinder. A pressure-containing component
attached to a reciprocating compressor crankcase in which
a reciprocating piston is operated by the compressor crank-
26 gascompressionmagazine.com | MAY 2017
discharge) a reciprocating compressor cylinder. Valve-sealing
elements may be single plates, multiple poppets, rings, or
reed strips.
Connecting Rod. A linkage component that connects the
crankshaft of a reciprocating compressor to the crosshead
or directly to the piston.
Cooler. A component, either a shell and tube device, that
MWYWIHXSXVERWJIVLIEXJVSQSRI¾YMHXSERSXLIV¾YMHSV
a radiator device with a rotating fan that is used to transfer
LIEXSYXSJKEWSV¾YMHXSEQFMIRXEMV
Coupling. A component designed to connect two shafts
at their ends for the purpose of transmitting power. In
most cases, the component has a measure of flexibility that
can accommodate misalignment and shaft end movement,
while transmitting power from the driver to the driven
equipment.
Crankcase. The metal casing enclosing the crankshaft and
associated parts in a reciprocating compressor or engine.
Crank End. The end of a reciprocating compressor cylin-
der closest to the crankcase.
Crank Pin. The shor t cylindrical bearing surface between
two webs or arms of a crankshaft that is set parallel to the
main shaft of the crankshaft.
Crankshaft. A compressor component that converts ro-
tary motion into reciprocating linear motion; or an engine
component that converts reciprocating linear motion into
rotary motion.
Crosshead. A sliding component, containing a bushing and
a wrist pin or crosshead pin, that connects it to the small
end of a connecting rod to eliminate sideways forces on
pistons in large reciprocating compressors.
Crosshead Guide. A stationary component that is part of
or is bolted to a reciprocating compressor frame or crank-
case, which suppor ts and restrains the sideways motion of
the crosshead.
Crosshead Pin. A shor t shaft suppor ted by bushings that
connects the small end of a reciprocating compressor con-
necting rod to a crosshead.
Cylinder Head. A pressure restraining component, at-
tached by bolting and incorporating a static seal, on the end
of a reciprocating compressor cylinder, and is removable for
gaining access to the inside of cylinder for inspection and
maintenance.
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WSGMEXIHTEVXWMREVIGMTVSGEXMRKGSQTVIWWSV
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 IRH SJ ER IRKMRI
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Diffuser.%WIGXMSRSJEGIRXVMJYKEPGSQTVIWWSVXLEXGSR-
Free End.8LI STTSWMXI SV RSRHVMZI
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GSSPERX TYQT SV EPXIVREXSV MW JVIUYIRXP] HVMZIR JVSQ XLI
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Discharge Flange or Nozzle.8LIGSRRIGXMSRERHSVRS^-
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KEWGSQTVIWWMSRQEKE^MRIGSQ`MAY 27
 sealing ring friction; also the power measurement obtained
from an analyzer with a pressure transducer connected to
a port communicating directly with the internal volume on
one end of a reciprocating compressor cylinder and time-
phased to piston position or crankshaft angular position.
Induction Motor. An alternating current electric motor in
which the primary winding on the stator is connected to
power and a secondary winding or a squirrel-cage second-
ary winding on the rotor carries the induced current. Be-
cause of slippage, induction motors tend to run at speeds 2
to 5% lower than synchronous motors.
Inertia Rod Load. The force on a reciprocating compres-
sor throw and piston rod resulting from the instantaneous
iner tia forces of the throw’s reciprocating masses outboard
of the small end of the connecting rod (typically the piston,
piston rod, piston rod nut, crosshead, and balance weights)
acting on the crosshead pin.
Inlet Guide Vanes. A set of vanes at the inlet of a dynamic
GSQTVIWWSV SV I\TERHIV HIWMKRIH XS TVSZMHI ER IJ½GMIRX
QIERWSJ¾S[GSRXVSP
Integral Engine-Compressor. A reciprocating machine in
which the engine and the compressor pistons are connect-
ed to a common crankshaft, and the power and compressor
cylinders are mounted on the same crankcase or frame.
Intercooler. A heat exchanger for cooling air or gas be-
tween stages of compression or between individual com-
pressors operating in series.
Jacket Water.;EXIV SV SXLIV GSSPERX XLEX ½PPW SV MW GMV-
culated through, a compressor cylinder or engine block or
crankcase to remove, add, or distribute heat to control the
internal temperature.
Journal.% WTIGM½G TSVXMSR SJ E WLEJX WYVJEGI JVSQ [LMGL
the shaft (crankshaft or rotor)-applied loads are transmitted
to bearing supports.
Journal Bearing.%XMKLX½XXMRKL]HVSH]REQMGSMPPYFVMGEXIH
metallic bearing used in compressors, engines, and motors.
Liquid Natural Gas (LNG). The light hydrocarbon por tion
of natural gas, predominantly methane, which has been liq-
YI½IHERHWXSVIHEXZIV]PS[XIQTIVEXYVIWEVSYRH¯„*
perposition of inertia forces resulting from the reciprocating
masses outboard of the small end of the connecting rod and
the gas forces exer ted on both sides of the piston.
Non-Reversal. An undesirable condition where the super-
imposed (combined) dynamic pressure and inertia forces on
a reciprocating compressor throw, outboard of the crosshead
pin, never reverse direction during one crankshaft revolution.
This condition typically leads to rapid failure of the crosshead
pin bushing as a result of inadequate lubrication.
Pipeline-Quality Natural Gas (PLQNG). Natural gas that
QIIXWEXVERWQMWWMSRGSQTER]´WQMRMQYQWTIGM½GEXMSRW
Piston. A moving component within a reciprocating com-
pressor cylinder that is operated by the compressor crank-
shaft to displace volume to pressurize and transport gas
from a lower pressure to a higher pressure.
Piston Ring. Also called a piston sealing ring; a nonmetal-
PMGSVQIXEPPMGWTPMXVMRKXLEX½XWEVSYRHETMWXSRERHVMHIW
in a groove to seal the gap between the outer diameter of
the piston and the inner diameter (bore) of the compres-
sor cylinder in which it operates. One or more piston rings
operate in series to prevent or minimize leakage from one
side of the piston to the other.
Piston Rod. A long, round, cross-sectional rod with one
end attached to a reciprocating compressor piston and the
other connected to a crosshead.
Piston Rod Packing. A series of segmented nonmetallic or
metallic rings used to prevent or minimize the leakage of pres-
surized gas around a reciprocating compressor piston rod.
Piston Rod Wiper Packing. A set of ring seals designed to
prevent the transfer of compressor crankcase lubricating oil
into the compressor distance piece or compressor cylinder.
Polytropic Compression. A thermodynamic compression
process from a lower to a higher pressure in which the pro-
cess obeys the relationship PVn = a constant, where P is the
absolute pressure, V is the volume, and n is the polytropic
exponent.
Polytropic Exponent. An experimentally determined ex-
ponent used to predict the performance of dynamic com-
pressors that obey the relationship PVn = a constant, where
¯„'
 P is the absolute pressure, V is the volume, and n is the
Maximum Allowable Working Pressure. The maximum polytropic exponent.
continuous gauge pressure for which the manufacturer has Polytropic Head. The energy (usually in ft-lbf) required to
designed the equipment (or any part to which the term is compress polytropically and deliver 1 lbm of a given gas from
VIJIVVIH
[LIRLERHPMRKXLIWTIGM½IH¾YMHEXXLIWTIGM½IH one pressure to another.
operating temperature.
TIV
Mineral Oil. A light hydrocarbon lubricating oil that is typi-
cally a distillate of petroleum.
Mole(s). The mass of a substance corresponding to its mo-
lecular weight, usually expressed either as lbmole or gmmole.
Molecular Weight. The sum of the atomic weights of all
the atoms in a molecule, given in lbm/lbmole.
Natural Gas. A gaseous form of petroleum, consisting pre-
dominately of mixtures of hydrocarbon gases of which the
most common component is methane.
Natural Gas Liquids (NGL). Liquids extracted from the heavi-
er molecular weight components of a raw natural gas mixture.
Net Rod Load. The force on a reciprocating compressor
throw and piston rod resulting from the instantaneous su-
28 gascompressionmagazine.com | MAY 2017
Pressure.8LIJSVGII\IVXIHF]E¾YMHKEWSVPMUYMH
unit of area.
Pressure-Volume (P-V) Diagram. A preferred tool for ana-
lyzing positive displacement compressor performance. It de-
picts the relationship of the pressure and volume of a gas with-
in one end of a reciprocating compressor cylinder during the
full displacement of the piston (inward and outward strokes).
Pulsation Dampener. Also often called a pulsation bottle
or manifold, an engineered device attached to one or more
reciprocating compressor cylinders or elsewhere in a com-
TVIWWMSRW]WXIQXLEXYWIWEGSYWXMG½PXIVMRKERHHEQTMRKXS
reduce the cyclic pressure amplitude generated by the com-
pressor and/or from acoustic resonances in the compres-
sion system.
 Radial Bearing. A bearing that supports forces (loads) act-
ing perpendicular to the axis of the compressor crankshaft
or rotor shaft.
Reciprocating Compressor. A positive displacement ma-
chine having one or more cylinders, each with a piston or
plunger that moves back and for th in a reciprocating motion
to pressurize gas by decreasing its volume and displacing
E½\IHEQSYRXSJKEWZSPYQI[MXLIEGLVIZSPYXMSRSJXLI
crankshaft to which the piston is connected.
Recycle. The return of par t of a process stream to a point
upstream from where it was removed to enhance recovery
or control, typically the return of pressurized gas down-
stream of the compressor discharge through a return line
with a throttle valve that reduces its pressure to enable its
return to line upstream of the compressor suction.
Relative Humidity. The ratio of the par tial pressure of wa-
ter vapor in an air-water mixture to the saturated vapor
pressure of water at a prescribed temperature.
Relief Valve. A type of safety valve used to control or
limit the pressure in a system or vessel to a predetermined
level, functioning by opening at the predetermined pressure
WIXXMRKXSEPPS[XLITVIWWYVM^IHKEWXS¾S[XSEWEJIEXQS-
spheric vent or other lower pressure area.
Rider Band. Also often called a wear band or rider ring; a
ring or band of low-friction material that keeps a metallic
piston from contacting the bore of the reciprocating com-
pressor cylinder in which it operates.
Rod Load Rating. The maximum (tensile), minimum (com-
pressive), or total (absolute sum of tensile and compressive)
allowable force permitted on a single reciprocating com-
pressor throw.
Rotary Compressor. A machine having a casing or housing
with one or more rotating elements that are either lobes
or helical screws that mesh with each other, or have sliding
ZEPZIWSVPMUYMHVMRKWIEGLSJ[LMGLHMWTPEGIE½\IHZSPYQI
with each revolution.
Rotary Screw Compressor. A machine having a casing or
housing with two rotating elements with helical lobes that
QIWL[MXLIEGLSXLIVXSHMWTPEGIE½\IHZSPYQI[MXLIEGL
revolution.
Separable Compressor. A reciprocating compressor that
MW HVMZIR XLVSYKL E ¾I\MFPI GSYTPMRK SR SRI IRH SJ XLI
crankshaft by a separate engine or motor.
Separator. A vessel for separating hydrocarbon liquid and
water from a gas stream.
Single-Acting Cylinder. A reciprocating compressor cyl-
inder in which gas is compressed by only one side of the
piston, i.e., during only the outward or the inward stroke.
Sour Gas. A gas that contains undesirable levels of hydro-
KIRWYP½HIGEVFSRHMS\MHIERHSVQIVGETXERW
7TIGM½G+VEZMX] The ratio of the mass of a given volume
of a gas to that of another equal volume of another gas
YWIHEWWXERHEVH9RPIWWSXLIV[MWIWTIGM½IHEMVMWYWIHEW
the standard for gases, with the volumes typically measured
at 60°F (15.5°C) and atmospheric pressure.
7TIGM½G,IEX The amount of heat energy required to in-
crease a unit mass (cp) or a unit volume (cv) of gas or liquid
by 1°F or 1°C.
7TIGM½G:SPYQI The volume of a substance per unit mass,
the inverse of density.
Standard Cubic Feet Per Minute (SCFM).% QEWW ¾S[
VEXI SJ KEW HIWGVMFIH EW E ZSPYQI ¾S[ VEXI EX WXERHEVH
conditions, typically set at 14.696 psia (1 bar), 60°F (15.5°C),
and 0% relative humidity.
Stonewall. Also called choke; a point on a centrifugal com-
pressor performance curve speed line where the maximum
¾S[VEXIERHQMRMQYQTSP]XVSTMGSVEHMEFEXMGLIEHEVIIR-
countered, and where any fur ther decrease in head at that
WTIIH[MPPRSXVIWYPXMRERMRGVIEWIH¾S[VEXI
Stroke. The distance the piston travels within a reciprocat-
ing compressor cylinder from inner to outer, or from outer
to inner, positions.
Suction. The inlet connection on a compressor, or the line
SVLIEHIVJVSQ[LMGLEGSQTVIWWSVHVE[W¾S[
Surge.%RYRHIWMVEFPI¾S[GSRHMXMSRMRE\MEPERHGIRXVMJ-
ugal compressors that occurs when the compressor dis-
charge pressure or polytropic head exceeds the maximum
capability of the compressor at the speed at which it is
STIVEXMRK8LMW GEYWIW VITIEXIH G]GPMG VIZIVWEP SJ XLI ¾S[
which if not controlled, results in severe internal damage to
the compressor.
Sweet Gas. Gas containing essentially no objectionable
sulfur compounds.
Swept Volume. The volume swept by the piston as it re-
ciprocates inside a compressor cylinder, calculated by mul-
tiplying the length of the stroke by the cross-sectional area
of the cylinder bore.
Synchronous Motor. An electric motor that operates at
a constant speed, propor tional to the line frequency, up to
full load.
Synthetic Oil. A lubricating oil consisting of chemical com-
pounds that were not originally present in crude (oil) pe-
XVSPIYQFYX[IVIEV XM½GMEPP]QEHIJVSQSXLIVGSQTSYRHW
Throw. A single crank section of a reciprocating compres-
sor, including a single connecting rod, crosshead and pin
bushing, and a piston and rod assembly. Reciprocating com-
pressors commonly have as few as one throw to as many
as six throws, with some special units having as many as ten
throws on a single crankshaft and frame.
Thrust Bearing. A bearing designed to suppor t axial forc-
es (loads in the direction of the axis or centerline) and to
control the axial position of a compressor crankshaft or
rotor shaft.
Valve Cage. A component that is clamped between a
compressor valve and a valve cap that is retained by bolt-
ing to hold the valve in place in a reciprocating compressor
G]PMRHIV[MXLSYXVIWXVMGXMRK¾S[MRXSSVSYXSJXLIZEPZI
Valve Cap. A cover that is attached to a reciprocating
compressor cylinder with bolting and a seal that prevents
leakage of gas from the cylinder opening, which holds the
valve and valve cage into position when the compressor is
operating, and is removable to provide access to the valve
for inspection and maintenance when the compressor cylin-
der is depressurized and not being operated.
Valve Loss Horsepower. The power consumed by the re-
WMWXERGIXS¾S[GEYWIHF]XLIGSQTVIWWSVZEPZIWFSXLWYG-
gascompressionmagazine.com | MAY 2017 29
 tion and discharge, in a reciprocating compressor cylinder.
Valve Unloader. A device with an actuator, often called a
deactivator, that is attached to one end of a reciprocating
compressor (usually suction) valve to create a bypass around
the valve sealing elements, which prevents the internal cylin-
der pressure from building up to the discharge pressure level
WSXLEXXLIVIMWRS¾S[SYXSJXLIG]PMRHIVIRHLEZMRKXLIYR-
loader. This essentially “unloads” the cylinder end, resulting in
RS¾S[SYXSJMXLS[IZIVWSQITEVEWMXMGTS[IVVIQEMRW8LI
bypass may be created by holding the sealing elements open
or retracting a plug over a port in the center of the valve.
Vane. An airfoil-shaped stationary component within a
¾S[TEWWEKIXSKYMHIXLI¾S[SJKEWERHI\XVEGXIRIVK]SV
around the periphery of a compressor rotor to guide the
¾S[ERHMQTEVXIRIVK]
Variable Volume Clearance Pocket. % ¾S[ GSRXVSP HI-
vice on the head end of a reciprocating compressor cylinder
that functions by positioning an internal piston to add a
½\IHZSPYQIXSXLIFYMPXMRGPIEVERGIZSPYQISJXLIG]PMR-
HIVXSVIHYGIXLIZSPYQIXVMGIJ½GMIRG]ERHXLIVIJSVIXLI
¾S[VEXI
Velocity. The distance that a molecule of gas travels per
YRMX SJ XMQI HIXIVQMRIH F] XLI ¾S[ VEXI HMZMHIH F] XLI
cross-sectional area of the channel through which the gas
MW¾S[MRK
:SPYQIXVMG )J½GMIRG] The ratio of the actual delivered
gas volume to the swept volume of a reciprocating com-
pressor cylinder end.
Wet Gas. A gas-containing water, or a gas that has not been
dehydrated. The term is often synonymous with “rich gas.”

UNITS

Term American System SI System Traditional Metric System

Area Square Inches (in. 2) Square Millimeters (mm2) Square Millimeters (mm2)
1 mm2 = 0.00155 in. 2 1 mm2 = 0.00155 in. 2

Length Inch (in.) Millimeter (mm) Millimeter (mm)

1 mm = 0.0039 in. 1 mm = 0.0039 in.
Length Foot (ft.) Meter (m) Meter (m)
1 m = 3.2808 ft. 1 m = 3.2808 ft.
Flow Rate (Mass)A Pounds/Minute (lb m /min) Kilograms/Minute (kg/min) Kilograms/Minute (kg/min)
1 kg/min = 2.205 lb m /min 1 kg/min = 2.205 lb m /min
Flow Rate (Volume) Cubic Feet/Minute (ft3/min) Cubic Meters/Minute (m3/min) Cubic Meters/Minute (m3/min)
1 m3/min = 35.313 ft3/min 1 m3/min = 35.313 ft3/min
Mass Pound (lb m) Kilogram (kg) Kilogram (kg)
1 kg = 2.205 lb m 1 kg = 2.205 lb m
Power Horsepower (hp) Kilowatt (kW) Metric Horsepower (hpmetric)
1 kW = 1.341 hp 1 hp metric = 0.986 hp

Pressure Pounds/Square Inch (lb f /in2) Kilograms/Square Centimeter
(kgf /cm2)
1 kgf /cm2 = 14.21 kgf/cm2
Temperature Degrees Fahrenheit (°F) Degrees Celsius (°C)
1°C = 0.5555°F
Bar (bar) or Kilopascal (kPa)
1 bar = 14.5 lb f /in. 2
1 kPa = 0.14505 lb f /in. 2
Degrees Centigrade (°C)
1°C = 0.5555°F
„'!\„*¯
„'!\„*¯

Temperature Degrees Rankin (°R) Degrees Kelvin (°K) Degrees Kelvin (°K)
(Thermodynamic) °R = °F + 459.69 °K = °C + 273 °K = °C + 273

Torque Pound-Feet (lb f -ft) Newton-Meter (Nm) Kilogram-Meter (kgf -m)

1 Nm = 0.738 lb f -ft 1 kgf -m = 7.233 lb f -ft

Velocity Feet/Minute (ft/min) Meters/Second (m/s) Meters/Second (m/s)

1 m/s = 196.85 ft/min 1 m/s = 196.85 ft/min
Volume Cubic Feet (ft3) Cubic Meters (m3) Cubic Meters (m3)
1 m3 = 35.313 ft3 1 m3 = 35.313 ft3

Figure 11.1: Most commonly used terms for gas compression with units of measure.
A
-RXLIKEWGSQTVIWWMSRERHTVSGIWWMRHYWXVMIWQEWW¾S[MWSJXIRVITVIWIRXIHEWEZSPYQI¾S[EXWXERHEVHXIQTIVEXYVIERH
TVIWWYVIIK7'*1SV117'*(WIIEGVSR]QW 'SRZIVWMSRJEGXSVWFIX[IIR%QIVMGERERHQIXVMGWXERHEVHZSPYQI¾S[W
EVIHITIRHIRXSRXLIHI½RIHWXERHEVHGSRHMXMSRW[LMGLEVIKIRIVEPP]HMJJIVIRX8LIVIJSVIXLIGSRZIVWMSRWEVIRSXWMQTP]E
ratio of the units of measure for the volume, but must also consider the ratios of the different standard absolute pressures and
temperatures, V2 = V1\41/P2 \82 /T1).

30 gascompressionmagazine.com | MAY 2017

COMMON UNITS OF MEASURE 3( SYXWMHIHMEQIXIV
Units are a system of terms for measuring physical quanti- 3(' SYXIVHIEHGIRXIV
ties, such as length, weight, time, energy, etc. The most com-
QSRGPEWWM½GEXMSRSJYRMXWGERFIJSYRHMRXLI-RXIVREXMSREP OEM original equipment manufacturer
7]WXIQSJ9RMXW7- QIXVMG-QTIVMEPERH%QIVMGERW]WXIQW 37,% 3GGYTEXMSREP,IEPXLERH7EJIX]%HQMRMWXVEXMSR
% PMWX SJ WSQI SJ XLI QSWX GSQQSRP] YWIH XIVQW JSV KEW 40' TVSKVEQQEFPIPSKMGGSRXVSPPIV
GSQTVIWWMSR[MXLXLIMVYRMXWSJQIEWYVIMWTVSZMHIHMR*MK-
YVI[MXLYRMXWJSVXLI%QIVMGER7-ERHQIXVMGW]WXIQW PLQNG pipeline-quality natural gas
PRV pressure relief valve
COMMONLY USED ACRONYMS
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GSQTVIWWMSR MRHYWXV] ERH MX MW LIPTJYP XS FI JEQMPMEV [MXL 47-% TSYRHWTIVWUYEVIMRGLEFWSPYXI
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R]QWMREPTLEFIXMGEPSVHIV
PSV pressure safety valve
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PV pressure vs. volume (generally referring to
%'*1 EGXYEPGYFMGJIIXTIVQMRYXI compressor performance)
%27- %QIVMGER2EXMSREP7XERHEVHW-RWXMXYXI R universal gas constant
API American Petroleum Institute 6, VIPEXMZILYQMHMX]
%781  QIVMGER7SGMIX]SJ8IWXMRKERH1EXIVMEPW
% RPM revolutions per minute
International
68( VIWMWXERGIXIQTIVEXYVIHIXIGXSV
&(' FSXXSQHIEHGIRXIV
7%') WMRKPIEGXMRKGVEROIRH
&,4 FVEOILSVWITS[IV
SAE Society of Automotive Engineers
CPM cycles per minute
7%,) WMRKPIEGXMRKLIEHIRH
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7'* WXERHEVHGYFMGJIIX
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7'*1 WXERHEVHGYFMGJIIXTIVQMRYXI
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SF service factor
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
SPE Society of Petroleum Engineers
GHP gas horsepower
SRV safety relief valve
GPA Gas Processors Association
8(' XSTHIEHGIRXIV
GPSA Gas Processors Suppliers Association
8)*' XSXEPP]IRGPSWIHJERGSSPIH
,) LIEHIRH
8);' XSXEPP]IRGPSWIH[EXIVGSSPIH
HP horsepower
860 XIRWMPIGSQTVIWWSV VSHPSEH
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:) ZSPYQIXVMGIJ½GMIRG]
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:*( ZEVMEFPIJVIUYIRG]HVMZI
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VLHP valve loss horsepower
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REFERENCES
,) LIEHIRH 1
Perez, R.X., Illustrated Dictionar y of Essential Process Ma-
O4E OMPSTEWGEP chiner y Terms;EYOIWLE;-(MIWIP
+EW8YVFMRI4YFPMGE-
O; OMPS[EXX tions, 2013).
2
Gas Processors Suppliers Association, Engineering Data
02+ PMUYMHREXYVEPKEW
Book, vol. 1, 11th IH 8YPWE 3/ +EW 4VSGIWWSVW 7YTTPMIVW
1%;4 QE\MQYQEPPS[EFPI[SVOMRKTVIWWYVI Association, 1998).
117'*( QMPPMSRWXERHEVHGYFMGJIIXTIVHE] 3
Gas Processors Suppliers Association, Engineering Data
Book, vol. 2, 11th IH 8YPWE 3/ +EW 4VSGIWWSVW 7YTTPMIVW
1; QSPIGYPEV[IMKLX
Association, 1998).
NEMA National Electrical Manufacturers Association 4
7SGMIX] SJ 4IXVSPIYQ )RKMRIIVW -RXIVREXMSREP 4IXVS;MOM,
2+0 REXYVEPKEWPMUYMHW [[[TIXVS[MOMSVK

gascompressionmagazine.com | MAY 2017 31