Our BCL compressors, along with RB and VH series compressors, are highly flexible machines designed to cover a wide range of applications and pressures. They are particularly well suited for medium to high pressure applications, low molecular weights, and high head requirements as needed in many refinery, fertilizer and petrochemical applications. The robust casings can be rolled or forged steel with one or two end covers (vertically split) bolted or secured by shear rings. Other key design features for reliability include tilting-pad radial and thrust bearings, and dry-gas end seals (with other sealing solutions available). Our material selections are based on extensive experience in nearly every upstream, midstream, and downstream oil and gas application.
Compressor configuration can be customized to meet performance requirements, including straight-through, back-to-back, double-flow or multi-section with intermediate cooling. This flexibility allows BHGE to optimize the compressor train for maximum overall efficiency whether it’s driven by steam turbine, gas turbine, or electric motor. Impeller technology continues to improve through our extensive research and development programs aimed at improving efficiency, while static parts including diaphragms are machined to minimize performance losses. Inter-stage and balance piston seals can be conventional labyrinth, abradable or honeycomb to optimize overall machine performance and minimize losses due to internal recycle.
The BCL line is the first to be adapted with our optional high pressure-ratio compression (HPRC) technology.