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ROTARY TWIN SCREW COMPRESSORS

HOWDEN COMPRESSORS
1 HOWDEN COMPRESSORS

WORLD PIONEERS OF ROTARY

TWIN SCREW COMPRESSORS

HOWDEN MANUFACTURES OIL INJECTED AND OIL FREE ROTARY

TWIN SCREW COMPRESSORS, AND SUPPLIES BARE SHAFT
OIL INJECTED SCREW COMPRESSORS FOR USE IN THE
REFRIGERATION, GAS PROCESSING AND OTHER INDUSTRIES.

Rotary twin screw compressor technology was developed in the 1930s by

a Swedish company, SRM, in collaboration with Howden. We manufactured
the world’s first operational screw compressor and further developed the
technology in the 1960s with the introduction of the oil injected twin
screw compressor. This has revolutionised designs of refrigeration and
gas handling plants worldwide.
Today, in thousands of installations worldwide, our oil injected screw
compressors provide high integrity, low maintenance solutions for
liquid chilling, direct refrigeration and gas compression applications.

COMPRESSOR PACKAGE SYSTEMS

Howden Compressors is a specialist manufacturer of twin screw compressors.
We supply oil injected bare shaft compressor units to independent packagers
worldwide who design and supply gas and refrigeration systems on a local basis.
For high specification process critical applications we can offer this packaging
service by use of our own specialist knowledge and capabilities through our
Howden global companies.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Our leadership in technology has been maintained over many years by total
commitment to continuous product development. In particular, we are committed
to ensuring that products meet current and future demands for environmental
protection by using CFC free refrigerants and by containment of hazardous gases.
Moreover our compressors have been developed to operate at high efficiencies
to conserve energy and give low operating costs.
Our compressors are capable of operation on all known refrigerants and gases.
We have over 30 years of experience on CO2 compression, and as CO2 becomes
a standard refrigerant we have a proven compressor product available.
We are also actively increasing the range of our products to match customer
requirements, such as high pressure gas boosters for aeroderivative gas turbines,
which now typically require gas supply at pressures above 50 bar.
 2

Screw compressor in Howden process gas package

MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE
We are committed to manufacturing The main casing and the inlet and outlet end covers
are flanged, bolted and dowelled through flanges to
the highest quality compressors in the
ensure correct alignment. Removal of the end covers
industry. We employ state of the art provides ready access for maintenance when required.
machine tools to attain the highest
possible accuracy and tolerances so COMPRESSOR ASSEMBLY AND TESTING
as to produce compressors with high All oil injected twin screw compressors are factory
assembled by skilled engineers. The casing
efficiency and outstanding reliability. components are hydraulically tested to a minimum
of 1.5 times maximum operating pressure to ensure
ROTORS integrity. Additionally, all oil injected compressors
All rotors for Howden twin screw compressors are tested with air under water following final
are machined from solid bar or forgings on highly assembly. The compressors are then mechanically
accurate cutting machinery. The standard material run on air test rigs to confirm that volumetric
is carbon steel, but forgings or special alloys can efficiency, absorbed power, oil flows and vibration
be used for more arduous applications. Following levels meet the stringent acceptance standards.
machining and balancing to ISO standards, male
and female rotors are paired for assembly to ensure
the ideal combination for maximum efficiency.

CASINGS
Casings are precision machined from castings
using state of the art horizontal machining centres
to achieve the essential close tolerances. Cast iron
is the normally casing material; alternative casing
materials are spheroidal graphite iron or various
grades of steel.
3 HOWDEN COMPRESSORS

BEST PRACTICES
LIFETIME QUALITY AND CARE

Today in thousands of applications TESTING

Howden has extensive test facilities. Comprehensive
QUALITY CONTROL worldwide, Howden screw compressors
We recognise the importance of a testing ensures that the test performance data,
provide high integrity, low maintenance particularly relating to the computer selection programs
controlled manufacturing environment
and Howden companies are accredited
solutions for liquid chilling, direct for standard gases and refrigerants, are as accurate as
to ISO 9001:2000. Ongoing internal and refrigeration and gas compression. possible. Project specific tests, such as to API 619, can
external audits of quality control systems be carried out to customer requirements. Our thorough
are applied to ensure continued DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS testing gives confidence that the unit will perform
compliance with necessary control Our twin screw compressors are designed to match reliably throughout its life.
procedures. For particular applications the exacting specifications required by our customers.
quality plans are prepared to meet They comply with International standards and codes, AFTERSALES
specific customer requirements. e.g., API 619. Compressors are generally Lloyds We provide a lifelong spare parts and maintenance
approved, and installations have been accepted by service through our global network. Spare parts are
many major authorities such as Lloyds, Bureau Veritas, authenticated with our “Original Spare Parts” certificate
Norske Veritas, RINA, DSRK, Bureau de Mines, ABS, and it is recommended that only these parts are used.
Germanischer Lloyd and NKK. Parts are generally supplied in pre-packaged in kits that
provide all items for particular types of model and
maintenance operation.
COMPREHENSIVE
TESTING ENSURES
THAT THE TEST
PERFORMANCE DATA
ARE AS ACCURATE
AS POSSIBLE.
 4

TWIN SCREW COMPRESSORS

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
Fig 1
DESIGN CONCEPT • Oil cooling.
Gas is drawn in to fill the interlobe
Compression is achieved by the intermeshing of • Liquid refrigeration injection. space between adjacent lobes.
two helical rotors contained in a suitable casing. • Specialist sealing systems.
Figures 1–4 give details of the compression cycle.
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
The Howden twin screw compressor is a positive Positive displacement
displacement rotary design. As such it has the • Cannot surge. High compression
characteristics and stability of reciprocating ratios per stage.
Fig 2
compressors but in addition offers particular Rotary action As the rotors mesh, the gas is trapped
advantages: • Vibration free running. between the rotors and the casing.

• Reduced physical size. • Extreme reliability & on-line availability.

• Fewer moving parts. • Smooth gas flow, low pulsation.
• Low vibration. • Lightweight foundations.
• Extended operating life cycle. Stiff action rotors
• Ability to withstand high pressure differences.
OPTIONS Fig 3
Our compressors have a range of design options. No inlet or outlet valves Continued rotation progressively reduces the
Typical ones are: • Lower maintenance costs. space occupied by the gas, causing compression.

• Twin wall construction with sleeve bearings. Compact size & light weight
• Single wall construction with roller bearings. • Minimal space and foundation requirement,
• Slide valve capacity control from resulting in low installation costs.
100% to 10% nominal. Designed for long periods
• Inverter speed control. of continuous running
Fig 4
• Variable volume ratio. • Maximum on-line availability. Compression continues until the interlobe
• Superfeed. • Minimal service requirements. space becomes exposed to the outlet port,
through which the gas is discharged.
7 HOWDEN COMPRESSORS

WRV TECHNICAL DATA: TYPICAL PERFORMANCE

TYPICAL PERFORMANCE
WRV AMMONIA GAS HANDLING
Typical gases or refrigerants handled by the Howden range
of oil injected screw compressors include:

‘000s kcal/h
‘000s btu/h

Refrigerants Gases

kW
kW
TR

70,000
• R717 • Ammonia • Hydrogen
5,000 20,000
50,000 12,600 • R134a • Butane • Methane
3,000
REFRIGERATION CAPACITY 10,000 • R404A • Carbon Dioxide • Natural Gas
2,000 6,000
20,000 5,000 6,000 • R407C • Fuel gas • Nitrogen
5,000
4,000 • R410A • Helium • Propane
1,000

700
10,000 2,500 3,000 • R502 • Hydrocarbon • Propylene
2,000
7,000
500 1,500
2,000 • R507 • Ammonia • Town Gas
400 5,000 1,500
4,000
(Wet & Mixed)
300 1,000
1,000
3,000
200 700 NB. In some cases, for example in refineries, hydrocarbon gases
2,000 500
500 will be used as refrigerants.
400
100 400
1,000 250 300
70 250
200
700
50 200
150
40 500 150
400 100
SUPERFEED CYCLE
30
100
300
20
PRESSURE

200 50
500
10
100 25˚F
-60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60

-50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 ˚C

EVAPORATION TEMPERATURE

SUPERFEED

TYPICAL EFFECT OF SUPERFEED

STANDARD
EXTRA REFRIGERATION
CAPACITY CAPACITY
INCREASE FACTOR

1.6
CONDENSING TEMPERATURE 95˚F (35˚C) ACHIEVED WITH ENTHALPY
REFRIGERATION CAPACITY SUPERFEED
1.5

1.4

1.3
SUPERFEED
1.2
The Howden superfeed system is a development of the oil injected
1.1 screw compressor design. All oil injected compressors are
POWER
equipped with an additional gas port, located along the length of
1.0
-60 -40 -20 0 20 ˚F the compression chamber. Feeding refrigerant to this port from a
-50 -40 -30 -20 -10 ˚C
superfeed/economiser vessel within the refrigeration system offers
EVAPORATION TEMPERATURE
increased evaporator capacity of up to 20 percent, with virtually
no increase in absorbed power.

KEY TO GRAPHS NOTES

■ Full duty 50 Hz (excluding Superfeed) Refrigeration capacity based on 5.6˚C
Condensing temperature 35˚C (95˚F) (10˚F) superheat at compressor suction
and no sub-cooling of condensed liquid.
■ Full duty 60 Hz (excluding Superfeed)
Condensing temperature 35˚C (95˚F) No allowance has been made for
pressure losses between the evaporator
and the compressor suction flange.
 8

WRV TECHNICAL DATA

The WRV range has 6 frame sizes
each with between 2 and 6 L/D ratios
(all with clockwise rotation).

VOC Emission Control Gas Turbine Installation Helium Refrigeration

HOWDEN *SWEPT *SWEPT SUCTION DISCHARGE DIMENSION DIMENSION DIMENSION DIMENSION WEIGHT
COMPRESSOR VOLUME VOLUME PORT PORT A B C D APPROX.
SPECIFICATION 50Hz 60Hz Ø Ø
m3/hr cfm m3/hr cfm mm in mm in mm ft in mm ft in mm ft in mm ft in Kg Ib

WRV 163/1.45 550 325 660 390 125 5 75 3 1063 3 5 7⁄8 490 1 71⁄4 248 0 9 3⁄4 250 0 9 7⁄8 470 1036
WRV 163/1.80 680 400 820 480 125 5 75 3 1120 3 8 ⁄41
490 1 7 ⁄41
248 0 9 ⁄4
3
250 0 9 7⁄8 495 1091
WRV 204/1.10 815 480 975 575 150 6 100 4 1201 3 111⁄4 640 2 11⁄8 310 0 12 1⁄4 315 0 12 3⁄8 760 1675
WRV 204/1.45 1095 645 1315 775 200 8 125 5 1273 4 21⁄8 640 2 11⁄8 310 0 12 1⁄4 315 0 12 3⁄8 850 1874
WRV 204/1.65 1220 720 1465 860 200 8 125 5 1314 4 3 ⁄43
640 2 1 ⁄81
310 0 12 ⁄4 1
315 0 12 ⁄83
887 1955
WRV 204/1.93 1340 790 1610 950 200 8 125 5 1370 4 6 640 2 11⁄8 310 0 12 1⁄4 315 0 12 3⁄8 925 2039
WRVi 255/1.10 1590 935 1905 1120 200 8 150 6 1493 4 103⁄4 692 2 31⁄4 349 1 13⁄4 362 1 21⁄8 1200 2645
WRVi 255/1.30 1755 1035 2105 1240 200 8 150 6 1544 5 0 3⁄4 692 2 31⁄4 349 1 13⁄4 362 1 2 1⁄4 1270 2799
WRVi 255/1.45 2150 1270 2580 1520 255 10 200 8 1583 5 2 1⁄4 692 2 31⁄4 349 1 13⁄4 362 1 2 1⁄4 1325 2921
WRVi 255/1.65 2395 1410 2870 1690 255 10 200 8 1633 5 4 ⁄4
1
692 2 3 ⁄41
349 1 1 ⁄4
3
362 1 2 1⁄4 1422 3134
WRVi 255/1.93 2630 1550 3155 1855 255 10 200 8 1705 5 7 692 2 31⁄4 349 1 13⁄4 362 1 2 1⁄4 1540 3395
WRV 255/2.20 3190 1880 3830 2255 255 10 200 8 1815 5 111⁄2 692 2 31⁄4 349 1 13⁄4 362 1 2 1⁄4 1650 3638
WRVi 321/1.32 3830 2255 4595 2705 255 10 200 8 2005 6 7 940 3 1 471 1 6 1⁄2 500 1 7 5⁄8 2925 6447
WRVi 321/1.65 4790 2820 5745 3380 300 12 255 10 2110 6 11 940 3 1 471 1 6 ⁄2
1
500 1 7 5⁄8 3150 6943
WRVi 321/1.93 5260 3095 6310 3715 300 12 255 10 2200 7 21⁄2 940 3 1 471 1 6 1⁄2 500 1 7 5⁄8 3260 7186
WRV 321/2.20 6385 3760 7660 4510 350 14 300 12 2345 7 83⁄8 940 3 1 471 1 6 1⁄2 500 1 7 5⁄8 3500 7715
WRVi 365/165 6771 3985 8012 4716 350 14 300 12 2418 7 111⁄4 1125 3 8 1⁄2 565 1 10 1⁄4 590 1 111⁄4 5500 12125
WRVi 365/193 7920 4662 9372 5516 350 14 300 12 2520 8 31⁄4 1125 3 8 1⁄2 565 1 10 1⁄4 590 1 111⁄4 6100 13450
WRV 510/1.32 7660 4510 9190 5410 350 14 255 10 2920 9 7 1560 5 13⁄8 750 2 5 1⁄2 750 2 5 1⁄2 10800 23806
WRV 510/1.65 9575 5640 11490 6760 400 16 300 12 3090 10 15⁄8 1560 5 13⁄8 750 2 5 1⁄2 750 2 5 1⁄2 11500 25349
WRV 510/1.93 10510 6190 12615 7425 400 16 300 12 3233 10 7 ⁄4
1
1560 5 1 ⁄8
3
750 2 5 ⁄2
1
750 2 5 1⁄2 11800 26010

The company operates a policy of continuous product development and reserves the right to alter the data provided without notice.
*Swept volume at 3000 rpm except WRV510 range which is measured at 1500rpm **Swept volume at 3600 rpm except WRV510 which is measured at 1800 rpm.
9 HOWDEN COMPRESSORS

XRV TECHNICAL DATA: TYPICAL PERFORMANCE

XRV AMMONIA XRV R404A

‘000s kcal/h

‘000s kcal/h
‘000s btu/h

‘000s btu/h
kW

kW
kW

kW
TR

TR
70,000 70,000
5,000 20,000 5,000 20,000
50,000 12,600 50,000 12,600

3,000 3,000
10,000 10,000
REFRIGERATION CAPACITY REFRIGERATION CAPACITY
2,000 6,000 2,000 6,000
20,000 5,000 6,000 20,000 5,000 6,000
5,000 5,000
4,000 4,000
1,000 1,000
10,000 2,500 3,000 10,000 2,500 3,000
700 700
2,000 2,000
7,000 2,000 7,000 2,000
500 1,500 500 1,500
400 5,000 1,500 400 5,000 1,500
4,000 1,000 4,000 1,000
300 300
1,000 1,000
3,000 3,000
200 700 200 700
2,000 500 2,000 500
400 500 400 500

100 400 100 400

1,000 250 300 1,000 250 300
70 250 70 250
200 200
700 700
50 200 50 200
150 150
40 500 150 40 500 150
400 100 400 100
30 30
100 100
300 300
20 20
200 50 200 50
500 500
10 10
100 25˚F 100 25˚F
-60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60

-50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 ˚C -50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 ˚C

EVAPORATION TEMPERATURE EVAPORATION TEMPERATURE

XRV SUPERFEED EFFECT AMMONIA XRV SUPERFEED EFFECT R404A

TABLE CAPTION REQUIRED

TABLE CAPTION REQUIRED

1.9 1.9
REFRIGERATION CAPACITY
1.8 1.8
1.7 1.7
1.6 1.6
1.5 1.5
1.4 1.4
REFRIGERATION CAPACITY
1.3 1.3
POWER
1.2 1.2
1.1 POWER 1.1
1.0 1.0
-50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 -50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20
TEMPERATURE ˚C TEMPERATURE ˚C

KEY TO GRAPHS NOTES

■ Full duty 50 Hz (excluding Superfeed) Refrigeration capacity based on 5.6˚C
Condensing temperature 35˚C (95˚F) (10˚F) superheat at compressor suction
and no sub-cooling of condensed liquid.
■ Full duty 60 Hz (excluding Superfeed)
Condensing temperature 35˚C (95˚F) No allowance has been made for
pressure losses between the evaporator
and the compressor suction flange.
 10

XRV COMPRESSORS

Marine Freezing Unit Glycol Chiller Ethyleneglycol Chiller Unit

XRV 127/1.65 Compressor

(with anti-clockwise rotation
except for XRV 127-R1)

XRV 163 & XRV 204 Compressors

(all with clockwise rotation)

HOWDEN *SWEPT *SWEPT SUCTION DISCHARGE DIMENSION DIMENSION DIMENSION DIMENSION WEIGHT
COMPRESSOR VOLUME VOLUME PORT PORT A B C D APPROX.
SPECIFICATION 50Hz 60Hz Ø Ø
m3/hr cfm m3/hr cfm mm in mm in mm ft in mm ft in mm ft in mm ft in Kg Ib

XRV 127-R1 293 172 352 207 100 4 50 2 850 2 9 7⁄16 390 1 3 3⁄8 299 0 113⁄4 201 0 7 5⁄16 250 550
XRV 127-R3 397 234 476 280 100 4 50 2 900 2 11 ⁄16
7
390 1 3 ⁄83
209 0 8 ⁄41
291 0 111⁄2 250 550
XRV 127-R4 489 288 586 345 100 4 50 2 900 2 117⁄16 390 1 3 3⁄8 209 0 8 1⁄4 291 0 111⁄2 250 550
XRV 127-R5 576 340 - - 100 4 50 2 900 2 11 ⁄16
7
390 1 3 ⁄83
209 0 8 ⁄41
291 0 11 ⁄21
250 550

HOWDEN *SWEPT *SWEPT SUCTION DISCHARGE DIMENSION DIMENSION DIMENSION DIMENSION WEIGHT
COMPRESSOR VOLUME VOLUME PORT PORT A B C D APPROX.
SPECIFICATION 50Hz 60Hz Ø Ø
m3/hr cfm m3/hr cfm mm in mm in mm ft in mm ft in mm ft in mm ft in Kg Ib

XRV 163/1.65 593 350 712 420 125 6 76 3 1070 3 61⁄8 430 1 5 200 0 7 7⁄8 250 0 9 7⁄8 364 802
XRV 163/1.93 710 418 852 500 125 6 76 3 1116 3 8 430 1 5 200 0 7 7⁄8 250 0 9 7⁄8 388 855
XRV 204/1.10 812 478 974 573 150 6 100 4 1178 3 10 ⁄83
516 1 8 ⁄8 3
240 0 9 ⁄21
305 0 12 636 1400
XRV 204/1.45 1070 630 1284 756 150 6 100 4 1249 4 11⁄8 516 1 8 3⁄8 240 0 91⁄2 305 0 12 660 1454
XRV 204/1.65 1219 717 1463 860 150 6 100 4 1255 4 11⁄2 516 1 8 3⁄8 240 0 91⁄2 305 0 12 690 1520
XRV 204/1.93 1348 793 1618 952 150 6 100 4 1312 4 3 5⁄8 516 1 8 3⁄8 240 0 91⁄2 305 0 12 736 1621

The company operates a policy of continuous product development and reserves the right to alter the data provided without notice.