Figure F-1 - Centrifugal Compressor Nomenclature

APPENDIX G - FORCES AND MOMENTS

[STD 617] Copyright by American Petroleum Institute (Mon Feb 04 13:37:20 2002)
 G.1 General

The April 1988, November 1979, and October 1973 issues of this standard referred nozzle forces and
moments calculations to appropriate NEMA documents with the stipulation that the constants in the
equations be multiplied by 1.85. Experience has shown that there has not been a uniform
interpretation of "1.85 times NEMA." Therefore, the equations have been adapted to compressors by
identifying all the constants and clarifying that the equivalent of the exhaust nozzle in the NEMA
calculation is the largest compressor nozzle. This is usually, but not necessarily, the inlet nozzle.

G.2 Equations

The design of each compressor body must allow for limited piping loads on the various casing
nozzles. For maximum system reliability, nozzle loads imposed by piping should be as low as
possible regardless of the compressor's load-carrying capability. As a standard, the forces and
moments acting on compressors due to the inlet, sidestream, and discharge connections should be
limited by the following:

a. The total resultant force and total resultant moment imposed on the compressor at any connection
should not exceed the values shown in Equation G-1.
(G-1)Fr + 1.09 Mr54.1De

In U.S. Customary units:

3Fr + Mr927 De

Where:

Fr = Resultant force, in Newtons (pounds). (See

Figure G-1.)

Mr = Resultant moment, in Newton-meters

(foot-pounds) from Figure G-1.

For sizes up to 200 millimeters (8 inches) in

diameter

De = Nominal pipe diameter of the connection, in

millimeters (inches).

For sizes greater than 200 millimeters (8 inches), use a value of

[STD 617] Copyright by American Petroleum Institute (Mon Feb 04 13:37:20 2002)
 b. The combined resultants of the forces and moments of the inlet, sidestream, and discharge
connections resolved at the centerlines of the largest connection should not exceed the following:

1. The resultants shall not exceed:

(G-2)Fc + 1.64Mc40.4 Dc

In U.S. Customary units,

2Fc + Mc462Dc

Where:

Fc = Combined resultant of inlet, sidestream, and

discharge forces, in Newtons (pounds).

Mc = Combined resultant of inlet, sidestream, and

discharge moments, and moments resulting from

forces, in Newton-meters (pound-feet).

Dc = Diameter [in millimeters (inches)] of one circular

opening equal to the total areas of the inlet,

sidestream, and discharge openings. If the
equivalent nozzle diameter is greater than 230
millimeters (9 inches), use a value of Dc equal to:

2. The individual components (Figure G-1) of these resultants should not exceed:

[STD 617] Copyright by American Petroleum Institute (Mon Feb 04 13:37:20 2002)
 F x = 16.1D c M x = 24.6D c

F y = 40.5D c M y = 12.3D c

F z = 32.4D c M z = 12.3D c

In U.S. Customary units,

F x = 92D c M x = 462D c F y = 231D c M y = 231D c F z = 185D c M z = 231D c

Figure G-1 - Combined Resultants of the Forces and Moments of Corrections

Where:

Fx = Horizontal component of Fc parallel to the

compressor shaft, in Newtons (pounds).

Fy = Vertical component of Fc, in Newtons (pounds).

Fz = Horizontal component of Fc at right angles to be

compressor shaft, in Newtons (pounds).

Mx = Component of Mc around the horizontal axis, in

Newton-meters (foot-pounds).

My = Component of Mc around the vertical axis, in

Newton-meters (foot-pounds).

Mz = Component of Mc around the horizontal axis at

right angles to the compressor shaft, in

[STD 617] Copyright by American Petroleum Institute (Mon Feb 04 13:37:21 2002)
 Newton-meters (foot-pounds).

c. These values of allowable forces and moments pertain to the compressor structure only. They do
not pertain to the forces and moments in the connecting pipes, flanges, and flange bolting, which
should not exceed the allowable stress as defined by applicable codes and regulatory bodies.

Loads may be increased by mutual agreement between the purchaser and vendor. However, it is
recommended that expected operating loads be minimized.

APPENDIX H - INSPECTOR'S CHECKLIST

[STD 617] Copyright by American Petroleum Institute (Mon Feb 04 13:37:21 2002)