Ariel Corp. has expanded its family of compressors by adding two new frames: the KBK and KBT (KBK:T). The company debuted the new frames in March at the Gas Compressor Association (GCA) Expo & Conference in Galveston, Texas.
The KBK:T frames are the latest compressor from the company in nearly five years. In 2013, Ariel released the JGF, a variation of its JGC compressor with a 5 in. (127 mm) stroke, 1400 rpm and 57,000 pound rod load rating, according to the company. Prior to that, Ariel brought its KBZ and KBU compressor frames to the market in 2010.
The KBK:T brings Ariel’s KB design features to the company’s midline compressors, which are considered the “heart” of the company’s lineup, said Joe Fernandez, Ariel’s manager of application engineering. Specification wise, the new frames fall between Ariel’s existing JKG:T and JGC:D compressors in terms of gas rod load ratings.
Available in two, four and six throws, the KBK:T frames incorporate a variety of new features to meet the needs of the gas compression industry, Ariel said. The frames primary application is gas gathering and rental fleets. With its size and power ratings, the KBK:T frames provide more punch and longer strokes for operators who need the footprint of a JGK:T compressor.
“Our JGK:T frames have been a mainstay in the industry for a long time,” Fernandez said, adding that Ariel has started seeing manufacturers uprating their natural gas engines. Customers also expressed their desire to capitalize on these higher power ratings in their JGK:T-sized compressor packages. “There was a need for more capabilities and flexibility from those frames.
“The JGK and JGT are the gold standard,” he said. “We enhanced these frames without giving up their reliability.”
The KBK frame features a 6 in. (152.4 mm) stroke, a power range from 1840 to 5520 bhp (1372 to 4116 kW), a 1200 fpm (6.10 m/s) piston speed at its 1200 rpm rating. It is suited for natural gas engines and 1200 rpm motors, according to Ariel.
The KBT frame has the same power ratings as the KBK, as well as a 5 in. (127 mm) stroke, 1250 fpm (6.35 m/s) piston speed and 1500 rpm rating. These specifications make it ideal for 1400 rpm engines and 1500 rpm motors, which are typically found outside of the United States, the company said.
The KBK:T frames also feature a 92,000 lbs (409,236 N) total rod load; 46,000 lbs (204,618 N) tension rod load; and 50,000 lbs (222,411 N) compression road load.
To realize the increases in rod load and power ratings of the KBK:T frames, Ariel’s design engineers thoroughly analyzed and redesigned major components. In 2013, Ariel began extensive fatigue testing of the critical components that would be used on the KBK:T frames, Fernandez said. Five years later, those components feature a design that enhances their stiffness and strength.
The crosshead guides have an angled design and through-bolt support fasteners that mirror the same feature of the KB series of compressor frames. The angled design provides greater stiffness and improved stability under higher rod loads, the company said. The piston, piston rods, crossheads and connecting rods have also been redesigned for increased strength.
The KBK:T frames also use a new cylinder line that incorporates KTCD cylinder bodies with non-collared 2 in. (51 mm) diameter piston rods. The cylinders also use an uncut ring technology (BTUU style packing rings) and CP valves.
Ariel also added a design feature into the KBK:T frames that answers the call of its customers. The company simplified the auxiliary end piping by integrating the frame oil thermostat into the oil filter header. It also adjusted the placement of the pipes to provide improved access for maintenance.
“We’ve always taken the approach of making the equipment solid and easy to work on for the guys in the field,” Fernandez said. “A lot of that thinking has gone into what we’ve done with the new frames. We listened to our customers, added more value with the new frames and, in turn, made their lives easier.”
Another design feature is the backwards compatibility of select components within the KBK:T frames. Its crossheads, connecting rods and bearings can be used on the JGK:T frames, Fernandez said, which is useful for fleets that already have the JGK:T frames in their lineup and want to add the new frames to the mix.
“We made sure these parts were backwards compatible so our customers wouldn’t have to stock two different parts for their frames,” he said. “They will fit in the old and new frames.”
The new frames can also accommodate an optional internal torsional vibration damper or auxiliary end flywheel. ELP and dual chain drives come standard.
So far, the response to Ariel’s latest frames has been positive, with the company already receiving a handful of orders, Fernandez said. Though it’s early, Fernandez said he anticipates the KBK:T frames will gain the same market acceptance as the JGK and JGT frames.
“As we look at our entire lineup, this is the heart of it,” he said. “Where we go from here? We’ll see.”