CO2 compressor vibration and cause analysis

The operational experience of a large turbine drive carbon dioxide compressor train in a urea plant with capacity of 1620 tons/day is considered. After the initial start-up in 1976, the vibration in the HP cylinder was comparatively serious. The radial vibration reached 4.2 to 4.5 mils and fluctuated around this value. It was attributed to the rotating stall based on the spectrum analysis. Additional return line from the 4th to 4th and higher temperature of the 4th inlet has cured the vibration. Problems are described which were encountered in the operation along with their solutions, and/or improvements.