Compressor Monitoring and Controls Selection

ARC has been conducting research related to technologies essential in oil & gas, refining, chemical and petrochemical, and other industries for over two decades.  Recently ARC conducted detailed research specifically for Compressor Monitoring and Controls.  Based on this research, ARC analysts have developed a comprehensive set of criteria to help you select the best Compressor Monitoring and Controls available in the market. 

Compressor Monitoring and Controls for Optimizing the Performance of Compressors

Compressor monitoring and controls are a critical part of optimizing the performance of compressors, which, in turn, are a critical component in the oil & gas, refining, and chemical and petrochemical industries, among others.  Growing demand for energy; increased focus on energy efficiency of compressors and other turbomachinery; increasing demand for products derived from chemical and petrochemical processes requiring compression, for use in manufacturing process, and many different products; and other economic factors are driving the demand for compression and thus increasing the demand for compressor monitoring and controls solutions. 

The advancements in the compressor monitoring & controls solutions in incorporating Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)-enabled solutions such as advanced analytics, machine learning, and enhanced communications to enable remote monitoring are also expected to drive future demand as users realize greater performance, compressor uptime, and reduced maintenance costs.

The major consuming industries for compressors and the related monitoring and controls solutions include heavy process industries such as oil & gas, chemical and petrochemical, electric power generation, and refining.  Compression is required in a plethora of other industries, including other process, hybrid, and even discrete industries such as automotive.

There are different groups of buyers of compressor monitoring and controls solutions.  Among them are the end users that deploy compressors in their process operation; there may be a compressor supplier that sources its monitoring and controls solutions from a third party that compiles the necessary components (i.e., frame, engine, piping, etc.) to build a compressor.  Or the buyer might be a contract compression service provider that lacks the in-house resources and capabilities to design its own solution. 

Compressor Monitoring and Controls Selection Strategic Issues

The following are a few of the supplier and technology selection issues that end users should consider:

Carefully Review Specific Operational and Environmental Requirements

Buyers should take the time to understand their own specific operational requirements so as to select compressor monitoring and controls solutions that will best meet the requirements of their respective compressor; its operational characteristics such as peak head flow, surge control line, vibration, discharge temperature, flow rates, and other environmental conditions; or other pertinent operational metrics. 

Work Closely with Suppliers to Ensure System Performance

Earlier ARC recommended users to work more closely with suppliers to develop compressor monitoring and control solutions that best meet their specific operational requirements.  ARC also believes that users would be advised to consider working closely with suppliers during the installation and implementation phase of deploying the monitoring and control in order to learn about and better understand any potential operational or maintenance nuances.  Users that lack the necessary in-house technical expertise or resources necessary to maximize the benefits of a compressor monitoring and controls solution may be advised to consider outsourcing some or all of the operational activities to a capable and proven third party, being careful to ensure that mechanisms are in place to secure their production and related operational data. 

More Compressor Monitoring and Controls Strategic Issues to Understand

ARC has been researching the compressor monitor and controls market for over two decades and we know the issues:

• Compatibility with current installed assets and other technology
• Architecture integration based on standards
• Understanding the total cost of ownership for OEMs and end users
• Designs for maximum reliability
• Breadth and depth of supplier’s applications and related operations solutions
• Support, training, and spares
• Integration with IIoT strategies and business systems
• Supplier long term viability
• Identify long term visions

This ARC Selection Guide will help you select the Compressor Monitoring and Controls for the future.