Reciprocating compressor simulator and a computer system using the same

1. A method comprising:

operating equipment comprising a piston within a cylinder;

obtain equipment parameters from the operating equipment;

reporting at least one operating parameter to a data repository;

obtaining parameters of the equipment from the data repository;

calculating a P-V cycle as a function of a crankshaft rotation angle;

calculating a rod load using the P-V cycle values;

determining if the cylinder pressure is greater than a suction line pressure

determining an angle at which a suction valve opened; and

determining the suction valve pressure loss.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising using correctional measures for keeping the rod load below pre-defined levels.

3. A method comprising:

operating a compressor;

obtaining operating parameters of the compressor;

starting a counter for a crankshaft angle from 0 to 360 degrees;

calculating piston displacement and a volume of gas in a cylinder of the compressor as a function of the angle;

calculating a pressure within the cylinder;

determining if the cylinder pressure is greater than a suction line pressure;

determining an angle at which a suction valve opened; and

determining the suction valve pressure loss.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

calculating a power loss caused by the suction valve.

5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

determining if the cylinder pressure is greater than a discharge line pressure.

6. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

determining a discharge valve pressure loss.

7. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

calculating a power loss caused by the discharge valve.

8. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

calculating actual and theoretical flow through the cylinder.

9. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

calculating total power consumption of the cylinder.

10. The method of one claim 3 , further comprising:

calculating a P-V diagram for the cylinder.

11. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

calculating a temperature change across at least one valve of the cylinder.