A method of calculating the remaining service life of piston compressors on the basis of the following two criteria is examined: the wear of rubbing parts, and cyclic longevity.Compressor equipment is referred to a category of complex machines, the service life (remaining service life) of the subassemblies and parts of which differ.In contrast to existing procedures for assessing the remaining service life of piston compressors, the remaining life in the procedure developed by Samsonov et al.[1] is evaluated on the basis of two criteria: the wear of rubbing parts and cyclic longevity. Let us examine these criteria.In addition to the appearance of cracks after attainment of the limiting state, it is accepted in [1] to account for the condition of a component or subassembly with extreme (limiting allowable) wear of its working parts and surfaces. The actual condition of a part and subassembly, and also their remaining service life are determined with respect to the magnitude of the wear. In that case, the universally adopted wear criterion is determining for evaluation of the remaining service life of the compressor.It should be pointed out that a whole series of the most critical parts and subassemblies of compressors (bed frame, crankshafts, connecting rods, cylinder casings, etc.) operate under cyclic loads for extended periods without replacement, and occasionally from the moment that the compressor is built. Irreversible damage predominantly of mechanical origin (fatigue cracks fissuring, plastic-strain accumulation) gradually builds up in the parts, components, and subassemblies. In such a case, the onset of the limiting state is determined on the basis of apparent damage resulting in the initiation and development of cracks. The remaining service life for this group of parts will be assessed, above all, by high-and low-cycle fatigue.Let us examine the steps taken to diagnose piston compressors to determine their remaining service life on the basis of our procedure [1].In addition to working conditions and production parameters of compressor operation, the mechanical and plastic characteristics of the materials are parameters used to assess the technical condition of the compressor.Diagnosis of compressor equipment is complex in nature due to the large number of factors that affect the operational safety, and, as a rule, it may include:1) analysis of technical documentation (certificates, repair-request forms, etc.) to establish the actual operating conditions of a compressor unit, and correspondence between its technical parameters and certificate data and operating schedule, as well as to investigate results of previous diagnostics, repair-restoration work, and ascertain the most probable failures and damage;2) visual monitoring of the external and internal surfaces of the machinery, equipment, and pipeline bracing for appearance of cracks, local deformation, corrosion, and other defects to estimate their suitability for continued operation;
