Surge Protector assures efficient compressor operation.

Press Release Summary:



SurgeGard(TM) incipient surge protection device anticipates impending surge, provides alarm, identifies maintenance conditions, and performs on-line anti-surge override control. Surge-conditioning module continually monitors high frequency oscillations of flow, pressure, or current conditions that occur before compressor reaches actual surge points/curve. Enclosed in termination type electronic housing, unit can be snapped onto EN mounting rails.



Original Press Release:



Novel Incipient Surge Monitor (SurgeGard) Optimizes Compressor Performance



A state-of-the-art surge protection device anticipates impending surge to assure highly efficient compressor operations. It provides alarm, identifies maintenance conditions and performs on-line anti-surge override control.

Houston, TX: MICON Systems, the Houston-Texas-based Automation Solution Provider (ASP) to the pipeline, process and power industries, has perfected an incipient surge detection device for use on compressors that will revolutionize Operation and Maintenance procedures. According to company president, Roman Rammler: "Under our patented technology, we have created a detection/monitoring device that provides unique control capabilities for preventing compressor surge."

Compressor surge is a minor or violent condition that can exist in centrifugal or axial compressors caused by unusual changes in flow conditions (low flow) as a result of upstream or downstream encumbrances, changes machine clearances (entrainments), or mechanical problems. Surges can damage the compressor by causing bearing wear or failure and by bending or destroying vanes or other types of equipment failure that leads to emergency shutdown. If detected early and accurately, surges can be eliminated completely as can the expensive repair and maintenance costs.

The MICON device called SurgeGard(TM), is an incipient surge-conditioning module that continually monitors high frequency oscillations of flow, pressure or current (if motor driven) conditions that occur before a compressor reaches the actual surge points/curve. It includes special signal filtering and signal output conditioning to distinguish between impending surge and other unusual operating conditions. SurgeGard provides not only a method of ensuring that incipient surge or surge-spike conditions are detected, it also increases the speed of response of the anti-surge loop and offers an accurate surge point/curve reference. In addition, automatic surge point/curve compensation can be incorporated into the surge control algorithm. All these features result in optimized compressor performance and low maintenance. The compressor performs safely over the widest operating window and can receive preventive or turnaround maintenance attention before there is catastrophic or expensive failure or repair.

The SurgeGard intelligence is enclosed in a termination type electronic housing (small enough to fit into the palm of your hand). The module can be snapped onto commercially available EN mounting rails. It is connected to the selected process signal (flow, pressure, current) and to the compressor controller.

MICON Systems provides process control solutions for compressor and pipeline operations, SCADA systems, gas and steam turbines, combustors, boilers and industrial furnaces, and other equipment used in the process and power industries. The company has been supplying advanced digital control system solutions to these industries for over 30 years. The company's integrated control packages are built to meet the requirements of 'open' architecture, and are remotely accessible via the Internet

All Topics