L Series Low Pressure Natural Gas Compressor for Smaller-Volume Process and Booster Service

L Series Low Pressure Natural Gas Compression for Smaller-Volume Process and Booster Service

The L Series occupies the lower-capacity end of the low-pressure natural gas compressor product line. Verified models cover capacities from 20 to 60 m³/min at discharge pressures from 0.20 to 0.80 MPa, in a two-row reciprocating configuration. All verified low-pressure L Series models run on a 380 V electrical supply, which makes this series applicable where high-voltage infrastructure is not available or not preferred.

This distinguishes the L Series from the D and H Series, which at comparable or larger capacities draw 550 to 1,300 kW and require 6 kV or 10 kV motor supply. The L Series models in the low-pressure table pull 75 to 250 kW — consistent with 380 V industrial motor practice — and suit installations at smaller facilities, remote sites, or locations where high-voltage power infrastructure is not part of the site design.

Operating Range and Configuration

Note on additional L Series models: Three further LW models — LW-60/2.5, LW-40/4, and LW-50/5 — appear in the source data with discharge pressures of 2.50, 4.00, and 5.00 MPa respectively. These pressures fall within the high-pressure product-line range (1.2–9.0 MPa) and require technical classification confirmation before they can be assigned to either the low-pressure or high-pressure L Series page. They are excluded from the table below pending that confirmation.

Available Models and Technical Specifications

Capacity is expressed in m³/min as stated in the source data. Flow-reference basis must be confirmed for North American sizing purposes. The LW-60/4 lists 240(250) kW and 380/6K or 10K voltage, indicating optional high-voltage motor availability for that model. Three additional LW models with discharge pressures of 2.50–5.00 MPa are under technical classification review and are excluded from this table.

Stage Configuration Across the Pressure Range

At 0.20 and 0.25 MPa, the LW-20/2 and LW-40/2.5 operate as single-stage machines. With suction near atmospheric pressure, the compression ratio in these models is modest, and single-stage compression handles the required pressure rise within acceptable discharge temperature limits.

As discharge pressure increases to 0.40 and 0.80 MPa, the models shift to a two-stage arrangement within the same two-row frame. The gas is compressed to an intermediate pressure in the first stage, then cooled before entering the second stage to reach the final discharge pressure. Interstage cooling — whether by air or water — reduces the temperature of the gas entering the second-stage cylinder, which improves volumetric efficiency and reduces the discharge temperature of the final stage.

At 0.80 MPa discharge and a near-atmospheric suction, the absolute compression ratio approaches values where two-stage compression is important for managing cylinder discharge temperature and protecting valve components. The LW-10/8 and LW-20/8 confirm that two-stage compression is the standard configuration at this pressure level within the L Series.

Applications for Low-Pressure L Series Compressors

The L Series capacity range — 10 to 60 m³/min — suits operations that do not require the large gas throughput of the D or H Series. Natural gas booster service, where gas from a low-pressure source must be raised to a moderate process or pipeline pressure, is a typical fit. Fuel gas boosting — supplying combustion equipment such as turbines, furnaces, or generators that require a stable gas supply pressure above the available supply pressure — is another application where the 20 to 60 m³/min range is realistic.

Smaller gas gathering applications, where a limited number of wells are producing at low wellhead pressure, may also suit the L Series if the required flow volume is within range. Similarly, process compression duties within a small gas treatment or dehydration facility, where the process gas volume is modest, are potential applications for the verified models.

The 380 V electrical supply available on all verified low-pressure L Series models makes this series practical for sites without high-voltage distribution infrastructure — rural, remote, or early-phase installations where high-voltage cabling and transformer equipment would add significant cost.

Installation Footprint

The L Series machines are significantly smaller than the D and H Series in both footprint and weight. Frame lengths range from approximately 2,340 to 2,995 mm for the verified models, and bare-machine weights range from 1.80 to 4.82 tonnes. The compact frame dimensions relative to the D Series machines may suit installations with constrained floor space, or skid designs where multiple pieces of equipment must share a limited platform area.

As with all compressor series, the complete package footprint — including motor, piping, separators, coolers, and control panel — will be larger than the bare-compressor dimensions in the table. The engineering team can advise on typical package envelope dimensions once the operating parameters have been confirmed.

Suction Pressure and Gas Composition Inputs

Low-pressure L Series sizing, like all reciprocating compressor sizing, depends on suction pressure as much as on discharge pressure. If the gas source pressure is above atmospheric — for example, gas from a pipeline or vessel at 0.3 MPa feeding into a compressor intended to boost it to 0.80 MPa — the actual compression ratio is lower than if the source were at atmospheric, and the machine displacement requirement changes accordingly. Specifying suction pressure is essential to confirm whether a listed model will deliver the required capacity at the actual operating ratio.

Gas composition, including any H₂S, CO₂, or liquid hydrocarbon content, must be disclosed before material selection can be finalized. For applications involving gas with elevated acid-gas or condensate content, the engineering team must review the composition to determine whether standard materials are appropriate or whether upgraded cylinder, valve, or seal materials are required.

Information Required for Compressor Selection

• Gas composition (component breakdown, including inerts)
• Methane, CO₂, and H₂S content
• Suction pressure and suction temperature
• Required discharge pressure
• Required flow rate and flow-reference basis (actual, standard, or normal conditions)
• Site ambient temperature range and altitude
• Continuous or intermittent duty
• Available electrical supply voltage and frequency
• Cooling method (air-cooled or water-cooled)
• Hazardous-area classification requirements
• Package and skid requirements
• Destination country and project site

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the L Series differ from the D Series at similar capacities?
At overlapping capacity values — for example, around 60 m³/min — the L Series (LW-60/4 at 240 kW, 380 V) and the D Series (DW-60/6 at 350 kW, 380/6K or 10K) are distinct machines with different frame designs, dimensions, and power requirements. The L Series tends toward lighter machines with lower power draw, suited to the lower end of the capacity range. Selection between them at similar flow rates depends on the specific discharge pressure, suction condition, available electrical supply, and footprint constraints of the installation.

Can the low-pressure L Series be used as a natural gas booster compressor?
Where the suction pressure, discharge pressure, and required flow rate fall within the verified model parameters, the L Series is technically applicable to natural gas booster service. Booster compressor applications typically involve taking gas from an existing pipeline or vessel at a known suction pressure and raising it to a higher delivery pressure. The actual operating compression ratio determines the stage configuration required and confirms whether a listed model is appropriate.

Are there L Series models with discharge pressures above 0.80 MPa in the low-pressure range?
The verified low-pressure L Series models in the source table reach a maximum discharge pressure of 0.80 MPa. Three additional LW models appear in the source data at discharge pressures of 2.50, 4.00, and 5.00 MPa; these are under technical classification review and may belong to the high-pressure L Series product page rather than this page. They are not included in the specification table above until their correct classification has been confirmed.

Request a Technical Proposal

Provide gas composition, suction pressure and temperature, required discharge pressure, required flow rate with its reference basis, and site electrical supply details to allow the engineering team to evaluate the correct L Series model for your application. With these inputs, the team can confirm the stage arrangement, motor selection, and package configuration, and prepare a technical proposal covering dimensions, power requirements, and delivery terms.

Related Compressor Products

• D Series Low Pressure Natural Gas Compressor — two-row, higher-capacity models from 60 to 325 m³/min
• Z Series Low Pressure Natural Gas Compressor — smallest-capacity low-pressure model in the product family
• L Series High Pressure Natural Gas Compressor — L Series models for medium- to high-pressure service
• Natural Gas Compressor — full product line overview