Site Performance Test Evaluation for Gas Turbine and Electric Motor Driven Compressors

Field testing of compressor packages driven by gas turbines or electric motors requires the accurate determination of efficiency, flow, head, and power in sometimes less than ideal working environments. This paper discusses field performance testing of centrifugal compressors and measurement uncertainties one can expect when following appropriate test guidelines. The primary focus is on compressor performance for applications where the compressor is controlled by speed variation. Special consideration will be given to testing of compressors with two sections and multicompressor trains. The paper addresses the issues of planning and organization of field tests and necessary instrumentation, but primarily focuses on data reduction, data correction, test uncertainty, and the interpretation of test data.