Abstract: Two feed gas reciprocating compressors (25-K-111A/B) in a 40 × 10³Nm³ / h hydrogen production plant of a petrochemical enterprise in Fujian Province has periodic equipment failures during normal production and operation, so it is only necessary to switch the standby machine for alternate maintenance regularly to maintain safe production. Aiming at the above problem, this paper analyzed the causes of the failures and eliminated the failures through recalculating the unit performance parameters under multiple working conditions in combination with the production and operation conditions. The results show that the hydrogen production unit deviated from the original designed main operating conditions after it had run for a long time under liquid feed conditions. Besides, the two multi-condition compressor units configured in the process flow couldn’t meet the requirements of long-term operation under the condition of liquid feeding. During the operation of the compressor under this working condition, the key performance parameters such as the crosshead pin load reversal angle deviated from the requirements of the unit design, resulting in damage to the main components of the body. After comparison and selection, the whole machine was returned to the factory and was repaired as it was; two skid-mounted small flow compressor units were added to meet the liquid feeding conditions for hydrogen distribution. This solution not only solved the unit failure accurately, but also optimized the process flow. This case can provide reference for solving the problems of similar equipment in hydrogen production plants.

Key words: hydrogen production, reciprocating compressor, crankshaft, integrated piston driving force, back-angle