Protection Requirements

Compressors cannot handle liquids without severe damage - broken valves, bent rods, cracked cylinders, or impeller erosion. Even small liquid quantities cause problems. Suction scrubbers provide last-line protection removing entrained liquids, pipe scale, and debris before gas reaches compression elements.

Vessel Design

Vertical separator with tangential or vaned inlet creating centrifugal separation, wire mesh mist eliminator capturing droplets down to 10 microns, gas outlet to compressor suction, liquid sump with high-level shutdown protecting against carryover, and drain to closed system. Sized for gas velocity preventing re-entrainment.

High-Pressure Construction

Operating pressure matches upstream system typically 300-1500 psig for pipeline boosters or gas plant compression. Heavy-wall construction per ASME Section VIII Division 1 or 2. Materials resist operating pressure with proper safety factors. Design accommodates thermal cycling and pressure variations.

Separation Efficiency

Inlet device drops gas velocity allowing gravity separation of bulk liquids. Mist eliminator coalesces fine droplets into larger ones that fall to sump. Combined stages remove 99%+ of liquids protecting compressor. Pressure drop typically under 2 psi preserving suction pressure.

Material Selection

Carbon steel suitable for sweet gas service. Stainless steel for sour gas with H₂S or CO₂. Internal components resist erosion from high-velocity gas. Mist eliminator materials handle operating conditions without degradation. NACE materials where required.

Applications

Pipeline compressor station suction protection, gas plant feed compression, refrigeration compressor inlet scrubbing, associated gas compression, and any high-pressure compression needing liquid removal. Critical equipment protecting multi-million dollar compressors.

Level Control

High and high-high level switches provide alarm and automatic compressor shutdown. Level transmitter enables remote monitoring. Manual and automatic drain valves remove accumulated liquids to closed drain system. Fail-safe design prevents liquid breakthrough during control failures.

Safety Integration

Shutdown signal connects to compressor emergency shutdown system. Rapid valve closure stops gas flow before liquid enters compressor. High-pressure alarms warn of upstream issues. Gas detection monitors for leaks around vessel and piping.

Performance Benefits

Prevents catastrophic compressor damage from liquid ingestion saving millions in repair costs and lost production. Simple proven separation technology. Minimal maintenance beyond periodic inspection and drain valve service. Essential safety equipment for reliable compression.

Construction Standards

Design per ASME Section VIII with appropriate division for operating pressure. Materials rated for gas composition and pressure cycling. Relief valve protection sized per API 520. Complete documentation with separation calculations, material certifications, and pressure vessel code stamps.

ERGIL HP suction scrubbers protect high-pressure compressors from liquid damage through efficient separation in gas compression and pipeline operations.