API Standard 617 - Axial and Centrifugal and Expander-compressors for Petroleum,

Chemical and Gas Industry Services

Last update: November 23, 2010
Standard Edition Section Inquiry # Question Reply

617 7th - Jul. Chapt. 1 & 617-I-02/03 With the 7th edition of API 617, the standard has been divided into Please refer to Chapter 1, Clause 1.1.1, which states “This chapter
2002 2 chapters, for a centrifugal compressor, is the intent that Chapter 2 contains information pertinent to all equipment covered by this
1.1.1 applies, and Chapter 1 would apply only when referenced by Chapter 2? standard. It is to be used in conjunction with the following chapters
Or does Chapter 1 apply, and Chapter 2 modifies Chapter 1 if paragraph as applicable to the specific equipment covered.
number is used in Chapter 2?
Chapter 2 – Centrifugal and Axial Compressors
Chapter 3 – Integrally Geared Compressors
Chapter 4 – Expander-compressors” for the basic use of the
chapters.

For the Centrifugal Compressor example cited, BOTH Chapters 1

and Chapter 2 would apply. (i.e. Information in Chapters 2,3,and 4
are in addition to the common information contained in Chapter 1.)

617 7th - Jul. Chapt. 1 617-I-03/05 Question 1: Clause 2.1 mentions that “equipment shall be designed and Reply 1: It is the intent of API 611 to provide equipment (including
2002 2.1.2 constructed for a minimum service life of 20 years and at least five years auxiliaries) that has been designed to provide five years of
of uninterrupted operation”. What does API mean by five years of uninterrupted operation without scheduled maintenance that would
uninterrupted operation? require shutdown.

Question 2: How do you quantify this five-year requirement? Reply 2: See Reply 1.

Question 3: The sixth edition required only three years of uninterrupted Reply 3: API does not does not provide the rationale behind
operation. What does this change signify? requirements in its standards. These requirements are based upon
consideration of technical data and the judgment and skill of
experienced engineering and technical personnel representing
both users and manufacturers who serve on the standards-writing
committees.

All technical meetings during which API requirements are

considered are open to the public. The API Subcommittee on
Mechanical Equipment meets twice per year at the Spring and Fall
Refining Meetings. Information on these meetings can be found
on the API website at www.api.org/events.

617 7th - Jul. Chapt. 1 617-I-01/04 It appears that the electrical runout is lower for metric units than for the The allowable limits for electrical runout were established as a
2002 2.5.3 US customary units in 2.5.3 of Chapter 1. Is this correct? percentage of allowable vibration in U.S. Customary Units. In this
case, 25% of 1 mil or 0.25 mil. Rounding during soft conversion to
metric units has introduced a significant difference. We agree that
a hard conversion should have been made in this instance. A
correction to 6.35 μm in metric units will be considered for the next
edition.
 API Standard 617 - Axial and Centrifugal and Expander-compressors for Petroleum,
Chemical and Gas Industry Services
Last update: November 23, 2010
Standard Edition Section Inquiry # Question Reply

617 7th - Jul. Chapt. 1 617-I-02/05 Background: A compressor was sold under the specification of API 617. A separation margin is not required for a critical speed with an AF
2002 1.5.4 No other requirements or exceptions have been defined. The analytical less than 2.5.
2.6.1.2 rotordynamic study shows a critical speed within the operating speed
2.6.2.10 range. The amplification factor of this “critical” is calculated to be AF=2.1
(clearly below 2.5, assuming the unbalance response verification test is
confirming an AF clearly below 2.5).

Question: What is the required separation margin for a critical speed

with an amplification factor (AF) of less than 2.5?

617 7th - Jul. Chapt. 1 617-I-01/06 Referring to 2.6.2.11, the correction factor calculated per Equation 1.2-5 This factor is used during the analytical calculation procedure.
2002 2.6.2.11 shall have a value greater than 0.5. Is the 0.5 value meant to be the lower Analytically, amplitude should have a linear relationship to
correction factor to be used for calculating the unbalance response unbalance weight. Rather than requiring the designer to re-run the
amplitudes to assess the minimum design running clearances, or it is a program with a different unbalance weight in order to match
more stringent requirement to limit the vibration amplitude at probes required vibration amplitude, the API standard allows linear
location? interpolation to be used. The only purpose of the correction factor
is to limit the amount of linear interpolation to reasonable levels.
This factor is then used in paragraph 2.6.2.12 to confirm analytical
conformance to the minimum design diametrical clearance criteria.

617 7th - Jul. Chapt. 1 617-I-01/05 Background: The definition and requirement of the speeds is sometimes Clause 4.3.3.1 of Chapter 1 requires an overspeed at no less than
2002 4.3.3.1 subject to discussion with vendor and/or client when performance test 115% of maximum continuous speed. If maximum continuous
result requires the increased speed because interpretation of the speed is adjusted as a result of a performance test, this criteria still
requirement is different. When the maximum continuous speed (MCS) is applies.
set at 105% to comply with the minimum requirement defined by 1.4.10
(Chapter 1, Clause 1.5.18), and the impeller overspeed test has been
done at 115% of MCS to comply with minimum requirement specified in
4.3.3 (Chapter 1, 4.3.3.1), if increased speed adjustment is required as a
result of the performance test tolerances, the speed of impeller
overspeed test will no longer comply with the speed requirement of
Chapter 1, Clause 4.3.3.

Question: If increased speed adjustment is required as a result of the

performance test tolerance, does the standard still require the spin
speed margin of 115% during overspeed testing?

617 7th - Jul. Chapt. 1 617-I-03/07 Referring to Chapter 1, Section 4.3.6.2.3, should a compressor Yes, the requirement to re-run the final shop tests includes
2002 4.3.6.2.3 mechanical test be re-run after correction of a mechanical deficiency modifications to the assembly to correct nonconformances.
with the assembly?
 API Standard 617 - Axial and Centrifugal and Expander-compressors for Petroleum,
Chemical and Gas Industry Services
Last update: November 23, 2010
Standard Edition Section Inquiry # Question Reply

617 7th - Jul. Chapt. 2 617-I-01/03 Question 1: Is the intention of Chapter 2 to cover compressors with Reply 1: Chapter 2 “Centrifugal and Axial Compressors” covers
2002 overhung impellers (with or without external gear unit) or is it only overhung impeller centrifugal compressors (with or without external
restricted to beam type rotors? Our interpretation is that it only applies gears) in the text of the document. The illustration was
to beam type rotors, since the typical construction drawing at Annexure inadvertently omitted.
2C does not show a typical compressor with overhung impeller type
construction. Advise whether or not our interpretation is correct.

Question 2: If overhung impeller construction (with or without external

gear unit) is not covered by Chapter 2, can this be considered a sub-set Reply 2: See Reply 1.
of Chapter 3?

Question 3: If overhung impeller construction (with or without external

gear unit) is a sub set of Chapter 3, we consider that such service can Reply 3: Since the overhung impeller compressor is covered by
not be applied to pipeline compression service - since 1.1 of Chapter 3 Chapter 2, pipeline service is included.
does not list such a service. Advise whether or not our interpretation is
correct.

617 7th - Jul. Chapt. 2 617-I-02/06 Chapter 2, Clause 2.5.3.2, requires stub-shafts to meet all quality and Yes.
2002 2.5.3.2 heat treatment criteria for shaft forgings when modular (through-bolt)
rotors are provided. Does this clause apply to centrifugal compressors?

617 7th - Jul. Chapt. 2 617-I-03/03 Please provide a clarification of Page 1 of the Centrifugal and Axial Line 31 calls for Train BHP, which is the compressor train gas
2002 Section 5 Compressor Data Sheet, Lines 31 and 32. Line 31 calls for 'TRAIN BHP horsepower (GHP) listed on Line 30 plus the compressor
REQUIRED'. Since the train includes everything, I assume that this is the mechanical losses, such as from bearings and seals. Line 32 calls
BHP required at the driver coupling. But Line 32 calls for 'BHP for the driver BHP which is the same as the value listed on Line 31,
REQUIRED AT THE DRIVER INCLUDING EXTERNAL LOSSES (GEAR if the driver is directly connected to the compressor train, that is,
ETC.)'. Then Line 32 appears to be the same as Line 31, unless Line 32 there is no other piece of equipment, like a gear located between
calls for the driver BHP which has to be greater than the train BHP. the driver and compressor train. If there is a gear or other
equipment between the driver and compressor train, then the entry
on Line 32 is larger than the entry on Line 31 by the value of the
gear loss or loss from the other equipment.
 API Standard 617 - Axial and Centrifugal and Expander-compressors for Petroleum,
Chemical and Gas Industry Services
Last update: November 23, 2010
Standard Edition Section Inquiry # Question Reply

617 7th - Jul. Chapt. 2 617-I-04/03 The Chapter 2 datasheet references Note 1 in a few places. What is Note Note 1 appears on the first page of the datasheets for Chapter 2
2002 Section 5 1 and where can I find it in API 617? (I can only presume there is also on Lines 21 and 22, it also appears on Lines 28 and 29 of the
Note 2, and so on.) Chapter 3 datasheets. The Note explanation was inadvertently
omitted and has been corrected on the current Chapter 2
datasheets, and appears in the errata issued on June 1, 2003. The
note reads as follows: “Note 1: If gas analysis is given,
manufacturer shall supply data, otherwise data shall be supplied
by user.” The addition to the Chapter 3 datasheet will appear in the
Remarks section (Lines 48 or 49) and errata will be issued. There
are no other notes on the data sheets.

Please refer to
http://committees.api.org/standards/cre/errata/errata.html for a
copy of the errata.

617 7th - Jul. Chapt. 3 617-I-04/03 Does API 617, Chapter 3, apply to integrally geared steam turbines? No, integrally geared steam turbines are not covered in API
2002 1.1 standards.
617 7th - Jul. Chapt. 3 617-I-02/07 Referring to Chapter 3, Section 2.9.3.11, can the statement “Gearboxes Yes. Also see Chapter 1, Section, 2.1.2, that states, “Equipment
2002 2.9.3.11 shall not require a break-in period” be interpreted to mean that shall be designed for at least five years of uninterrupted operation.”
gearboxes shall not require any kind of stop (due to maintenance or any
other reason) to continue their operation?

617 API 617, 7th 2.6.8.8 617-2010-1 The mechanical running test of the point 2.6.8.8 of API 617 seventh There is no requirement during the mechanical running test to run
Edition edition, must be performed at full load, 100% of rated power, at no load at any specific load.
0% rated power or to another fraction of the rated load?