Subsea motor-compressor unit

Abstract

The present invention concerns a motor-compressor unit, particularly a subsea motor-compressor unit comprising, housed in a single casing, a compressor and a motor, further comprising, inside said casing, a washing apparatus connectable to an external source of a washing agent for selectively washing specific target areas of said motor-compressor unit.

1 . A motor-compressor unit comprising, housed in a single casing, a compressor and a motor, further comprising, inside said casing, a washing apparatus connectable to an external source of a washing agent for selectively washing specific areas of said motor-compressor unit;
 the washing apparatus comprising:   at least a washing device for selectively washing a specific area of said unit;   at least a delivery duct for delivering a washing agent to an area of said unit to be washed; and   at least a spray nozzle hydraulically connected to the end of a respective delivery duct facing the area to be washed;   the spray nozzle being completely contained inside the casing.   
     
     
         2 . The motor-compressor unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said motor compressor unit further comprises a fan to circulate the process gas through the motor, and wherein said washing apparatus comprises a first dedicated washing device for washing said fan comprising a first dedicated delivery duct for delivering a washing agent to said fan. 
     
     
         3 . The motor-compressor unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said motor compressor unit further comprises a shaft to which said compressor and said motor are coupled and one or more auxiliary bearings for supporting said shaft, and wherein said washing apparatus comprises one dedicated washing device for washing each of said auxiliary bearings. 
     
     
         4 . The motor-compressor unit according to  claim 3 , wherein said motor compressor unit comprises a first auxiliary bearing and wherein said washing apparatus comprises a second dedicated washing device comprising a second dedicated delivery duct for delivering a washing agent to said first auxiliary bearing. 
     
     
         5 . The motor-compressor unit according to  claim 3 , wherein said motor compressor unit comprises a second auxiliary bearing and wherein said washing apparatus comprises a third dedicated washing device comprising a third dedicated delivery duct for delivering a washing agent to said second auxiliary bearing. 
     
     
         6 . The motor-compressor unit according to  claim 3 , wherein said motor compressor unit comprises a third auxiliary bearing, and wherein said washing apparatus comprises a fourth dedicated washing device comprising a fourth dedicated delivery duct for delivering a washing agent to said third auxiliary bearing. 
     
     
         7 . The motor-compressor unit according to  claim 3 , wherein each of said washing devices for washing said auxiliary bearings comprises a circumferential channel provided in the casing for delivering the washing agent to said auxiliary bearings along their whole external circumference. 
     
     
         8 . The motor-compressor unit according to  claim 7 , wherein each of said circumferential channel further comprises a plurality of spray nozzles spaced along said circumferential channel. 
     
     
         9 . The motor-compressor unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said motor compressor unit further comprises at a least a thrust bearing for supporting axial thrusts acting said shaft, and wherein said washing apparatus comprises a fifth dedicated washing device comprising a fifth dedicated delivery duct for delivering a washing agent to said thrust bearing. 
     
     
         10 . The motor-compressor unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said washing apparatus comprises a sixth dedicated washing device comprising a sixth dedicated delivery duct for delivering a washing agent to the motor upper surface of the motor. 
     
     
         11 . The motor-compressor unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said motor compressor unit further comprises an intermediate diaphragm and a collection sump for collecting the liquids possibly entered into the unit, and wherein said washing apparatus comprises a seventh dedicated washing device comprising a seventh dedicated delivery duct for delivering a washing agent to said intermediate diaphragm, to said compressor and to said collection sump. 
     
     
         12 . The motor-compressor unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said delivery ducts of said washing apparatus are hydraulically connected to inlet points provided on the casing.