From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Letter to J. & E. Hall Ltd. concerning frosting and icing on a Compound Vertical NH3 Compressor.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 151\3\ scan0329 | |
| Date | 25th October 1937 | |
| 1290 Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /GR. {George Ratcliffe} 6/MH. {M. Huckerby} 25th. October 1937. Messrs. J. {Mr Johnson W.M.} & E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Hall Ltd., Dartford, Kent. For the attention of Comm. Turner. Dear Sirs, Compound Vertical NH3 Compressor No.9483. The above unit has now completed 500 hours running apparently satisfactorily. There is one point upon which we should like an explanation. During the last week while running on the automatic control, it was noticed that the crankcase and base of the two low pressure cylinders were covered in frost and ice respectively. This is apparently due to high pressure gas returned to the crankcase from the oil separator through the rotary plug when stationary. The frosting does not occur while the compressor is in motion. No frosting or ice occurs on the high pressure cylinder as this is presumably sealed against crankcase pressure. When the compressor is controlled automatically the two valves in the oil recovery line are of course, left wide open, but when controlled by hand the crankcase valve can be closed when the compressor has stopped. | ||