US 11,719,594 B2
System and method for compressor leak detection
Catherine B. Sarigiannis, Grand Island, NY (US); Jeremiah J. Rauch, Clarence, NY (US); and Mårten Källström, Sala (SE)
Assigned to PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC., Danbury, CT (US)
Filed by Catherine B. Sarigiannis, Grand Island, NY (US); Jeremiah J. Rauch, Clarence, NY (US); and Mårten Källström, Sala (SE)
Filed on Nov. 2, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/517,141.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/173,687, filed on Apr. 12, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0326109 A1, Oct. 13, 2022
Int. Cl. G01M 3/26 (2006.01); F04D 27/00 (2006.01)
CPC G01M 3/26 (2013.01) [F04D 27/001 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for leak detection in a compressor system for an air separation unit, the method comprising:
determining a first pressure differential across a restriction in the compressor system via a first pressure differential indicator (PDI), wherein the restriction is disposed upstream of the compressor and comprises at least one of a surge flow cone, a strainer, a cooler, and a flow element;
converting the first pressure differential into a first flow measurement upstream of the compressor system;
determining a second pressure differential across another restriction in the compressor system via a second pressure differential indicator (PDI), wherein the another restriction is disposed downstream of the compressor and comprises another flow element;
comparing the first flow measurement and the second flow measurement to determine whether a leak exists between the first PDI and the second PDI in the compressor system.