Burckhardt Compression - Reciprocating Compressors

As one of the world's largest manufacturers of reciprocating compressors, Burckhardt Compression AG is internationally recognized for its superior advice, design, engineering, manufacturing and servicing of compression equipment. Products include Laby® compressors, Laby®-GI compressors, process gas compressors and hyper compressors.

We are committed to professional excellence and strive to provide customers with the very best in a full range of products and services. We aim to be the industry leader in safety, quality, reliability and innovation. We are experienced in managing change, a characteristic that has ensured our survival over 160 years.

Laby® compressors

These vertically arranged compressors feature a labyrinth sealing system on the piston and piston rod gland as well as:

• Non-lubricated cylinder section (no oil required, no contamination of the gas, likewise contaminated gas does not harm compressor operation)
• Lubricated piston rod guiding system for precise alignment and long life
• Top quality compressor valves for high reliability
• Standard executions available with: open distance piece, closed and purged distance piece, gas-tight crankcase (zero leakage) and gas and pressure-tight crankcase (zero leakage)

Laby®-GI compressors

BOG compression for MAN Diesel’s ME-GI dual fuel propulsion system (DFDM) and FLNG applications, such as FSRU, LNG FPSO and LNG RV.

Design features:

• No vibrations due to elimination of unbalanced forces and moments caused by rotating masses
• Increased lifetime and reduced wear resulting in lowest maintenance costs due to the labyrinth sealing system (contact-free and non-lubricated) on piston and piston rod gland in the cryogenic area
• Less wear caused by weight forces due to vertical piston rod guiding arrangement
• Quick start-up with suction temperatures down to minus 170°C (minus 250°F) because there is no pre-heating of the gas or pre-cooling of the compressor required
• Long lifetime with top performance due to in-house engineered, top quality compressor components
• No gas losses thanks to the gastight design
• Quick and easy installation thanks to skid mounting
• All applied components have been successfully operated in LNG applications for long periods

Process gas compressors

Burckhardt Compression's oil-free or lubricated, horizontally and vertically arranged process gas compressors feature:

• Rugged, heavy-duty design
• Material selection to suit application
• Single or double compartment distance piece
• Piston rings in various designs and materials
• Replaceable cylinder liner
• Large maintenance openings for easy access
• According to API 618 requirements

Hyper compressors

Design features:

• Rugged motion work with low specific loads for long operating life
• Simple and robust design
• Easy access to all parts of motion work
• Distance piece between motion work and cylinder, preventing gas from entering crankcase
• Lube oil held in separate tank for safe operation
• Second auxiliary crosshead for enhanced guidance of high pressure plungers, hence prolonged packing life as well as safe operation
• Patented plunger operating to hold plunger bending loads within permissible limits
• Quick replacement of cartridge-type cylinder inserts

Compressor service

Our specialists have extensive OEM know-how and experience in all specific fields of compression technology. This enables us to support our customers for demanding applications handling cryogenic, abrasive, corrosive, toxic or explosive gases, and for applications with very high pressures up to 3500bar. With our in-house engineering and manufacturing expertise, and the state-of-the-art analysis tools, we guarantee maximum efficiency and durability for our solutions.

Backed by our worldwide service network, we strive to serve you as quick as possible during 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Compressor R&D

The applied research activities carried out by Burckhardt Compression AG concentrate on the optimization of our compressor designs with regard to efficiency, function and lifetime.

Our activities center around the fields of physics in all areas of reciprocating compressors and their application: computer programs to calculate dynamic processes and to optimize compressor layout; design of compressor parts or entire compressors; geometry; strength properties; materials; and manufacturing.

Contracting

In the contracting department we have experienced engineers, capable of handling large and complex contracts. Such contracts comprise the electrical and mechanical requirements of compressor stations and include a variety of auxiliary equipment. Efficient procurement, expediting and cost control make sure that we fulfill the contracts on time and on budget.

Manufacturing and packaging

We manufacture compressors in Oberwinterthur. Where feasible, we procure auxiliary equipment in the end user's country to provide a high local content. We continuously endeavor to increase our productivity in manufacturing and to reduce lead times. We have made substantial investments in modern CNC machines, providing a sound basis for the cost-efficient manufacture of our compressors.

Quality

We aim to satisfy our customers by cost-effective development, manufacture, marketing and maintenance of high quality products and services. Well-chosen people working to carefully conceived procedures ensure that Burckhardt Compression AG products and services meet defined requirements. Our business practices comply with International Standards Organization ISO 9001.