GE unveils Integrated Compressor Line

GE has unveiled one of its latest technologies to help secure the future supply of gas. Its Integrated Compressor Line (ICL) is an ‘all-in-one’ package that combines GE Oil & Gas’s advanced centrifugal compressor technology on Active Magnetic Bearings (AMBs) with GE Power Conversion’s high-frequency variable speed drive and high-speed motor technology.

ICL is driven by electricity rather than gas, with an integrated high-speed electric motor instead of a combustion engine, plus oil-free active magnetic bearings and a single sealed casing. The technology, which saves energy and avoids associated CO₂ emissions, is designed to achieve balance between productivity and the environment, power demands and space limitations, performance goals and maintenance requirements, reliability and availability.

Alfred Permuy, Chief Technology Officer, GE Power Conversion, said: “Conventional equipment uses oil bearings which may result in oil leaks, potentially leading to, in the worst case, an explosion. It poses a threat to production security. ICL is an oil-free solution as the AMBs eliminate the need for lubrication auxiliaries, ensuring a much safer working environment. The whole system produces zero emission (no dry gas seal in the compressor), easing the burden to the environment […] Also zero friction requires very low maintenance cost. Operators can again enjoy the cost reduction on operating expenses.

“In the future, strong data analytics capability will be added to the ICL solution to enhance its reliability […] Software will be able to identify failure before it happens by proposing smart monitoring on the equipment. Human-machine interface (HMI) will enhance the user experience, allowing operators to monitor and control the system through a much simplified interface.”

This ICL solution is applicable to many gas applications including clean gas and water-saturated gas.

Adapted from press release by Callum O'Reilly

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/05122014/ge-unveils-integrated-compressor-line-1918/