Ajax Introduces the New C-202 Electric, Two-Throw Compressor

ELECTRIC MOTOR-DRIVEN AJAX COMPRESSOR

Cameron’s New AJAX C-202 is Available in Two Ratings, 250 and 600 hp (186 and 447 kW), Depending on the Crankshaft and Bearing Selection

Cameron’s Compression Systems has released the new AJAX C-202, separable, two-throw compressor.  According to the company, it was designed to accommodate applications where a slow-speed (300 to 440 rpm), two-throw compressor offers the most efficient solution and there is a need for an electric motor-driven system for environmental considerations.

The C-202 is available in two ratings, 250 and 600 hp (186 and 447 kW) depending on the crankshaft and bearing selection. Like other AJAX compressors, this unit has 11 in. (279 mm) stroke compressor cylinders, a 2.5 in. (36 mm) piston rod diameter and a 30,000 lb. (133.45 kN) rod load rating.  It is available in both packaged and unpackaged configurations, and this “new” technology shares the benefit of more than 50 years of AJAX packaging experience with single-source responsibility, the company said. It has all aircooled cylinders, eliminating the need for water pumps, antifreeze and water coolers. According to Cameron, splash lubrication in the crankcase eliminates the need for oil pumps, filters and oil coolers, complementing this environmentally friendly compression system.

This is an extension of the wellknown AJAX product line with only four new parts created in its manufacture — the crankcase, crankshaft, flywheel and the drive hub. The C-202 maintains all of the same unit consumables, rods and rod bearings as the AJAX integrals with gas-driven engines.

“For existing AJAX users, this is a tremendous advantage,” said Bruce Chrisman, manager of engineering for the AJAX operations of Cameron’s Compression Systems group. “What this means for customers owning AJAX engine-driven compressors is that they will not need to stock additional parts as they add the C-202 motor-driven compressors to their operations.”  According to Chrisman, the ability to design the C-202 with standard AJAX parts expedited the design process, bringing this product to market sooner than would have otherwise been the case.

Flexibility was a prime consideration in packaging for the C-202. “We wanted to make sure the package was flexible enough to allow the cooler to be located in either the horizontal or vertical position, since the vertical position is needed in challenging operating conditions such as snow and ice,” said Rusty Kight, manager of package engineering. “Taking into account cold-weather considerations, heaters have also been designed for the C-202.  Another new packaging feature on the C-202 is the use of a rotating scrubber with a top outlet flange to allow interchangeability among packages, as well as providing a lower package profile.”

Standard on the C-202 is a 32% turndown rate for a range of 300 to 440 rpm. An optional feature on the C-202 is a 55% turndown rate, increasing the range to 200 to 440 rpm for more flexibility with the addition of only a few additional components.

According to Cameron, the C-202 is ideal for gas gathering, EOR injection, fuel gas boosting and some process markets including propane and ethylene compression.

The project was initiated in March 2008, after numerous discussions with a major energy company that is a significant user of AJAX Integral Engine/Compressors as an alternative to electric-driven rotary screws. The customer was seeking to apply these units in a coalbed methane application and operate in a vacuum to 5 psig (0.34 bar) suction, something it does with its current AJAX integrals. The design criteria included interchangeability with the current products, high efficiency of the 11 in. (279 mm) stroke, low valve velocities and slow speed.

After the initial design was completed in late 2008, the first unit was built and packaged for another major energy company that had viewed the design process. This application is a traditional gas gathering unit in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.A., area.

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