Heavy Duty Balanced Opposed Compressors - Ariel Corporation

Section 3 - Maintenance For Models: JGH:E:K:T
• Electric motor driven compressors.
• Unattended-start compressors, regardless of driver type.
• All large frame compressor models (JGC:D:B:V:Z:U, KBB:V:Z:U).
Automated compressor pre-lube systems must provide a minimum 10 psig (0.7 barg ) at the oil
gallery inlet (after the filter) for a minimum of 30 seconds prior to starting, with minimum start-up oil
viscosity and maximum allowable filter differential pressure. Ariel suggests a pre-lube pump sized at
about 25% of frame oil pump capacity, (see Appendix C for frame oil pump flow rates or in the Ariel
Performance Program). The purpose is to help ensure oil flow to all bearings, bushings, and oil-filled
clearances prior to start-up. A start permissive is desirable to sense minimum required pressure/time
at the oil gallery inlet.
Automated systems shutdown the compressor if it fails to achieve 45 psig (3.1 barg ) oil pressure
within 10 seconds after initial start-up (from when crankshaft starts to turn). If a compressor fails to
start or shuts down at start-up due to low oil pressure, DO NOT re-start until the cause is
corrected.
Engine driven compressors with manual pre-lube pumps require adequate pre-lube prior to starting.
If the compressor fails to achieve 45 psig (3.1 barg ) oil pressure within 10 seconds after reaching
engine idle speed, shut it down and correct the cause. Repeat manual pre-lube prior to each
cranking for start-up. When oil pressure exceeds 45 psig (3.1 barg ) at start-up, a low oil pressure
shutdown set at 45 psig (3.1 barg ) activates.
Oil Heaters
The compressor may need a frame oil heater if it must start in cold
weather. Method 1 maintains the compressor frame at a minimum
temperature so the compressor can start immediately, if needed.
Method 2 heats oil from ambient to a minimum temperature prior to
starting (see Table 3-1). Application requirements determine heating
method.
Ariel recommends circulation heaters; do not use dipstick heaters. All
Ariel compressors have at least one heater connection. Maximum
allowable wattage per unit area for an immersion heater is 15 W/in2 (2.3 W/cm2 ). This limit prevents oil coking on the heater element, which
reduces heater efficiency and contaminates oil.
TABLE 3-1 Heat Needed
to Maintain Minimum
JGH:E:K:T Frame Temp.
Method 1: Multiply by
difference between oil
and ambient temp.
kW/°F (kW/°C)
0.0086 (0.0155)
Method 2: Multiply by
temperature rise divided
by time (h)
0.0275 (0.0495)
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