Pulsation and mechanical vibration pose severe risks to the reliability of reciprocating compressor systems. To address these engineering challenges, the American Petroleum Institute developed API Recommended Practice 688 (API RP 688). This standard provides critical guidelines for controlling pulsation-induced vibration.

Applying API 688 is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Organizations like the utilize the principles of API 618 and API 688 to conduct complex, field-validated pulsation analyses for both operators and manufacturers. Similarly, the European Forum for Reciprocating Compressors (EFRC) provides ongoing research and reports that review and supplement API guidelines for the industry.

: Utilizing a combination of choke tubes and bottles to act as low-pass filters for specific frequency bands. How to Utilize API 688 Documentation

The standard is divided into sections that guide the design and analysis process: MyStandards.biz Terminology (Section 3):

Full Description. This standard covers the minimum requirements for pulsation and vibration control for positive displacement (PD) Accuris Standards Store RP 688 pages.fm