Abstract: Reciprocating compressor has been widely used in refining units because of its advantages of wide coverage of working pressure and flow, high energy efficiency and strong air tightness. However, the reciprocating compressor has complex structure and many vulnerable parts, of which gas valve failure accounts for more than 60% of the total failure. And the unit shutdown caused by gas valve failure of booster of continuous reforming unit in a plant accounts for more than 85% of the total failure shutdown times in one petrochemical company. This paper describes the diagnosis of the failure of the booster valve of this device, and analyzes the causes of the failure and puts forward the corresponding solutions. The solution reduces the failure rate and extends the service life of the air valve by optimizing the operating environment of the valve, which is of great significance in ensuring the safe and stable operation of the unit over a long period of time.

Key words: reciprocating compressor, air valve, fault, diagnosis