ENGINEERING PROJECT SOLUTIONS

WHITE PAPER

API Standards
for Air Compressors
A Guide for purchasers, EPC companies
and end-users

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Introduction API Institute

Manufacturers of compressed air systems and nitrogen packages must The goal of the API (American Petroleum Institute) to enhance operational safety, environmental
ensure that their products meet the enhanced requirements of applicable is establishing and maintaining standards for the protection and sustainability across the industry,
regulations and standards defined by legislation in addition to optional worldwide oil and natural gas industry. Their work especially through these standards being adopted
recommendations. helps the industry invent and manufacture superior globally. API standards have provided a consistent
products consistently, provide critical services, means for companies to advance and evaluate
A thorough understanding of API standards and how their relations with ensure fairness in the marketplace for businesses and technical knowledge and skills based on individual
air compressors is therefore indispensable when choosing the compressed consumers alike, and promotes the acceptance of certification programs.
air supplier to achieve the customer air technical requirements. The API products and practices by industry and governments
(American Petroleum Institute) has been leading the effort to establish and globally. API standards are developed under API’s American
maintain quality and performance standards for the oil and gas industry. National Standards Institute accredited process,
The API sets three such standards, API 618, 619, API 681 & API 672. Which Since 1919, the API (American Petroleum Institute) ensuring that the API standards are recognized not
standards you should apply will depend on the specific application and the has been leading the effort to establish and maintain only for their technical rigor but also their third-party
equipment you will rely on to do so. quality and performance standards for the oil and gas accreditation which facilitates acceptance by state,
industry. API has developed more than 700 standards federal, and increasingly international regulators.
Standards enhance the safety of industry operations, assure quality, help
keep costs down, reduce waste, and minimize confusion. They help speed
acceptance, bring products to market quicker, and avoid having to reinvent
the wheel every time a product is manufactured.
Benefits of Utilizing API Standards
By understanding the value of participating in API input for documents that can be regarded as best
Sometimes these standards become binding when they come into force industry standardization efforts, not only does the practices and true industry standards.
through legislation. For instance, these standards can be quoted in contracts industry as a whole benefit, but your organization
of complex projects including EPC contractors (Engineering Procurement and will receive tangible benefits, too. There are very Operational
Construction). In that cases these standards are binding if they are related important advantages to using API standards. Here is API standards provide a clear structure to operating
to safety for people and property. In other cases, they are optional if they just some of the most important ones: processes, with an emphasis on continual
are used to facilitate working with specifications, quality, documentation, improvement of working systems. This new working
manufacturing drawings, etc. End-User Operational Safety implementation process is an investment that leads
Operators can minimize hazards to their safety to better methods, reduction of risks and better
This white paper outlines: through the use of equipment designed and built to management control.
• API (American Petroleum Institute) explanation. API specifications and recommended practices. API
• The relation between types Compressors and API Standards standards add value to the equipment or materials by Environmental Safety
• Explanation of API 618, API 619, API 681 and API 672 reducing the operator’s risks. Nowadays eliminating potential damage to any
• Typical Industries served with API Compressors ecosystem and possible safety hazards is a top
• Customised air compressors for API Standards Production Reliability priority. Using API standards is not only critical to the
• Simple Guidelines for equipment purchasers, EPC companies and end-users API standards for the industry also lead to greater success of a project, but also to the environment and
reliability. This approach allows companies to leverage the public.success but also critical to the environment
their engineering resources by providing technical and public.

API Standards for Air Compressors

There are a wide variety of API Standards that may industries. It is necessary to be familiar with the
be included in contractual agreements to specify and codes and standards related to compressors that can
control the quality of air compressors for the oil & be specified in the contract. In the following sections,
gas, petrochemical, chemical and power generation those standards are enumerated and explained.

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Types Compressors and API Standards

CompAir Compressor, Dryer

and N2 Generation (PSA type) Packages

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API 618, API 619, API 681 and API 672. Typical Industries served with API compressors
Key in EPC Contracts
API 618, 619, API 681 and API 672 are effective tools to guide the specification, manufacturing, and quality
control of rotary, liquid ring and centrifugal air compressors. These APIS can be encounterd frecuently in complex
and EPC projects that need engineered air compressed packages.

Air Compressors
API Standards
Technology
API 618
Covers the minimum requirements for reciprocating compressors and their drivers
Reciprocating used in petroleum, chemical, and gas industry services for handling process air or
gas with either lubricated or nonlubricated cylinders. Reciprocating compressors
Compressors
covered by this standard are of low to moderate speed and in critical services. Also
covered are related lubricating systems, controls, instrumentation, intercoolers, af-
tercoolers, pulsation suppression devices, and other auxiliary equipment.

API 619
Describes requirements for dry and oil-flooded, helical-lobe rotary compressors
used for vacuum or pressure or both in petroleum, petrochemical, and gas industry Through API standards, the American Petroleum • Onshore
services. It is intended for compressors that are in special-purpose applications. It Institute provides effective tools to guide the
is not applicable to general-purpose air compressors, liquid-ring compressors, or
Rotary specification, manufacturing, and quality control of • Offshore
vane-type compressors.
Compressors air compressors used within a variety of industries
This edition of Std 619 is the identical national adoption of ISO 10440-1:2007, petro- and applications. The industry more important is Oil • Chemical & Petrochemical
leum, petrochemical and natural gas industries - Rotary-type positive displacement & Gas but other like chemical & petrochemical, power
compressors: generation and fertilizer use these standards to ensure • Power Generation
Part 1: Process Compressors that the products are manufactured committing the
Part 2: Packaged Air compressors (oil-free)
best practices. • Fertilizer
API 681
This standard covers the minimum requirements for liquid ring vacuum pump and
compressor systems for service in the petroleum, chemical, and gas industries. This Customised Air Compressors for API Standards
includes both vacuum pump and compressor design and system design. The design
of the system is critical to the successful operation of the liquid ring vacuum pump For compressors manufacture API Standards mean a
Liquid Ring or compressor. Close attention must be paid not only to the design of the ring liquid way to be recognized for product quality. Also, it is a
Compressors system but also to how it is integrated into the user’s process. way to demonstrate their capabilities to manufacture
products that meet API specifications.
Although this standard covers minimum requirements appropriate for petroleum
refinery service, purchasers may wish to consider pumps, compressors, and systems
that do not meet all the requirements of this standard, based on specific nonflam- Thanks for API and other international quality
mable, nontoxic service conditions. standards the compressors suppliers have
implemented a management system that provides
API 672 assurances that processes have been implemented
This standard covers the minimum requirements for constant-speed, packaged, to provide consistent, conforming products. The
Centrifugal general purpose, integrally-geared centrifugal air compressors, including their ac- compressors suppliers that are able to provide
Air Compressors cessories for use in the petroleum, chemical, and gas industry services.
customized engineered packages, are able to identify
This standard is not applicable to machines that develop a pressure rise of less than and address customer requirements, product issues
0.35 bar (5.0 psi) above atmospheric pressure, which are classed as fans or blowers. and face the most demanding technical specifications. Gardner Denver centrifugal compressor

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Simple guidelines for equipment purchasers, Coordination of Inspection Events

The EPC or the end user should be design an
Testing of Rotary Screw Compressors and Auxiliaries
API organization enumerates in their Study Guide
EPC companies and end-users inspection plan to be ensure all the compressors are
manufactured according to strict standards, and that
for Source Inspection and Quality Surveillance of
Rotating Equipment the following points that should
the company’s products and processes are evaluated be verified in the final inspection of the rotary- (screw)
When evaluating compressed air packages, you can Here you can find other important quality standards:
according to designated testing levels. type compressors:
best serve the customer specifications by emphasizing
Other International Standards — Dimensions are as shown on the compressor
the following criteria:
Not only EPCs but also end-users should identify dates general arrangement drawing;
ASME (American
Society of Mechanical Important in tanks receivers for source inspection scheduled work process events. — Compliance with standards;
Analysis of specification
Engineers) Some of them are the pre-inspection meeting (kickoff — Instrument and connection tagging;
Typical project documents include, but are not limited
ISO (International
Important to evaluate com-
with compressors manufacturer), key inspection — Piping compliance to P&ID;
to, contractual agreements (purchase orders and/ Organization for Stan-
pressed Air quality events (factory acceptance, performance testing, — Proper piping support;
or subcontracts), source ITP, project specifications, dardization)
and final inspection), and anticipated shipping date — Electrical and instrumentation wiring is installed
engineering or fabrication drawings, data sheets, For the manufacture, instal-
ATEX directive - Eu- lation, and use of equipment to allow coordination with other project members per the approved drawings and area classification;
applicable codes, references, or standards.
ropean regulatory and protective systems intend- involved in the activity. — Junction/terminal boxes are correctly mounted per
framework ed for use in potentially explo-
sive atmospheres
the approved drawings and area classification;
Study API specifications and be sure that the
Source inspection reports are important and it — Nameplates contain correct information and are in
compressor manufacturers have verification that Facilitate international trade
in equipment and services for should be reviewed for content, completeness and to compliance with API 619;
the products meet the requirements of the API IECEX Certificate
use in explosive atmospheres, eliminate the technical doubts. — API 619 specifies procedures and requirements
specifications and standards. while maintaining the required that should be followed in preparation for shipment.
level of safety
Safety Training
It is also very important to pay special attention to
Users must be trained on the relevant equipment And the following points for centrifugal compressors:
project description and the environmental conditions. Engineered Air Compressors Packages
and should not work alone. Safety of the individual — Performance test;
Site altitude, ambient temperature, typical weather The best option to address API customer requirements
performing source inspection is a key factor. — Mechanical run test, including vibration data
or humidity among other things, have a direct impact is to choose a manufacturer that is able to provide
collection, sound level test, and oil temperature
on machine selection and the technical requirements. engineered air compressors packages. It means that
The EPC/user should provide a safety program that monitoring;
the compressors packages are custom designed and
identifies specific safety hazards associated with the — Impeller overspeed test;
Quality Standards engineered by the supplier to perform client and/or
job. Source inspectors should be adequately trained — Control panel factory acceptance test (FAT);
In general, design, manufacturing and testing EPC project-specific function.
and knowledgeable in these safety. Ensure only — Coupling fit test;
methods of plants have to conform to different
trained personnel audits compressed air equipment. — Gas leakage test;
codes and standards. A thorough understanding not The importance of project management
— After-test disassembly inspection;
only of API standards but also other international A thorough understanding of the project management
The source inspector must observe the safety — Unbalanced rotor response verification test (per
standars programs of compressed air quality and process of compressed air in EPC contracts or complex
procedures and policies of the compressors API 617; 672 for centrifugal air compressors).
testing standards is therefore indispensable when projects is indispensable when EPC contractors or
manufacturer while on their premises or, if more
designing your system to achieve the purity levels engineering companies are awarded contracts from
stringent, their own company safety requirements.
your application requires. important end-users for engineering, procurement,
and construction management services.
The international standards you should apply will
depend on the specific contaminants the client As mentioned, engineered compressors packages References & Futher Readings
needs to remove and the purification equipment is the option more suitable because it permits the • American Petroleum Institute webite - https://www.api.org/
you will rely on to do so. In addition, you should take compressors face the exact customer technical
• Guide for Source Inspection and Quality Surveillance of Rotating Equipment - https://www.api.org/~/media/Files/
into account the local / international regulations for specifications and API standards. Choosing a supplier
Certification/ICP/ICP-Certification-Programs/SI_Suite_Documents/SIRE/SIRE_StudyGuide_Final_10-24-2015.pdf
manufacturing, materials, etc. with a dedicated project management is key for
leading to improved productivity as there is no • API Standards - http://www.rotating.equipment/
ambiguity when quality specification defines what a • API’s integrity management standards mean increased safety and reliability as offshore production is poised to grow, by
particular compressor system should be doing at any Offshore Energy Today - https://www.offshore-energy.biz/apis-integrity-management-standards-mean-increased-safety-
given time. and-reliability-as-offshore-production-is-poised-to-grow/
The project management team is critical in analysing all • Top Benefits of Utilizing API Standard & ISO Certified Pipe Protection, by MSI - http://msipipeprotection.com/top-benefits-
technical requirements to deliver projects efficiently. of-utilizing-api-standard-iso-certified-pipe-protection/
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Engineering Project Solutions compressors, Ingersoll Rand is committed to quality, innovation, and having
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Contact our sales representatives today for more information on
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