Description
Z Series Low Pressure Natural Gas Compression for Small-Volume Process Gas and Booster Service
The Z Series low pressure natural gas compressor occupies the smallest-capacity position within the low-pressure product family. One verified model — the ZW-6/8 — handles 6 m³/min at a discharge pressure of 0.80 MPa in a two-row two-stage configuration, drawing 45 kW from a 380 V supply. This is the lowest-power, smallest-footprint machine in the low-pressure compressor range.
At 6 m³/min and 45 kW, the ZW-6/8 suits applications where the required gas volume is small, the available power supply is standard 380 V industrial, and a high-voltage motor infrastructure is neither available nor justified. The machine dimensions — 2,250 × 1,296 × 2,350 mm at a bare-machine weight of 2.00 tonnes — reflect the scale of this unit relative to the larger machines in the low-pressure product line.
Verified Model and Technical Specifications
Discharge Pressure: 0.80 MPa
Capacity: 6 m³/min
Configuration: Two-row, two-stage
Driver Power: 45 kW
Electrical Supply: 380 V
Dimensions (L×W×H): 2,250 × 1,296 × 2,350 mm
Weight: 2.00 t
| Model | Configuration | Capacity (m³/min) | Discharge Pressure (MPa) | Dimensions L×W×H (mm) | Weight (t) | Power (kW) | Voltage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZW-6/8 | 2-row, 2-stage | 6 | 0.80 | 2250×1296×2350 | 2.00 | 45 | 380 |
One verified Z Series low-pressure model is listed. Capacity is in m³/min as stated in source data; flow-reference basis must be confirmed for North American sizing. Pressure as stated; gauge/absolute basis should be verified before engineering use.
Two-Stage Compression at 0.80 MPa
The two-stage configuration of the ZW-6/8 follows the same engineering principle applied throughout the low-pressure product line at higher discharge pressures. With near-atmospheric suction and 0.80 MPa discharge, the absolute compression ratio is high enough that concentrating all of the pressure rise in a single compression step would produce discharge temperatures that reduce valve life and may approach the practical limits for the gas and cylinder materials involved. Dividing the compression into two stages — with interstage cooling between them — keeps each stage operating at a lower individual ratio and at lower discharge temperature.
In a two-row machine, the first and second compression stages each occupy one row of cylinders. The gas flows from the suction into the first-stage cylinder, is partially compressed to an intermediate pressure, passes through an interstage cooler to reduce temperature, then enters the second-stage cylinder to reach the final discharge pressure of 0.80 MPa. The 45 kW driver power reflects the relatively low compression work involved at this small gas volume, even though the pressure ratio is moderate.
Where the ZW-6/8 Fits in the Product Family
At 6 m³/min, the ZW-6/8 is the smallest-capacity model in the confirmed low-pressure range. The adjacent L Series model at 0.80 MPa — the LW-10/8 — handles 10 m³/min at 110 kW, and the LW-20/8 handles 20 m³/min at 132 kW. Both are also two-row two-stage machines. The ZW-6/8 is positioned below these L Series models in both capacity and power, suited to applications where a flow rate around 6 m³/min is specifically required and a 45 kW motor at 380 V is both sufficient and convenient for the site electrical supply.
The Z Series high-pressure product line — with models ZW-5.5/24, ZW-4/25, and ZW-2/60 — covers a different pressure range entirely (2.40 to 6.00 MPa). Buyers considering higher discharge pressures at similarly small flow rates should review the Z Series High Pressure page, which addresses multi-stage compression at those pressure levels.
Applications for Small-Volume Low-Pressure Compression
At 6 m³/min, the ZW-6/8 is appropriate for applications where the gas volume is inherently small — a single low-producing well, a small gas recovery stream, a pilot-scale process, or a facility with limited gas consumption. Natural gas booster service at small scale — where the objective is to raise gas from a source at low or near-atmospheric pressure to a target pressure of up to 0.80 MPa for downstream use — is a technically plausible application where the capacity and pressure of this model may fit.
Fuel gas boosting at small process facilities or installations where combustion equipment requires a stable supply pressure above what is available from the gas distribution source may also suit the ZW-6/8, provided the required flow volume is in the 6 m³/min range and the required delivery pressure is within 0.80 MPa. As with all compressor applications, the actual suction pressure, discharge pressure, gas composition, and required flow rate at the specific operating conditions must be reviewed to confirm suitability.
Suction Pressure and Sizing Considerations
The capacity of 6 m³/min stated in the source data reflects the nominal compressor output at the stated discharge pressure. Whether this value represents actual volume flow, standard flow, or normal flow must be confirmed with the engineering team. The actual flow the machine delivers at a given operating condition also depends on suction pressure. If the gas source pressure is below atmospheric — sub-atmospheric suction — the machine must process a larger actual volume of gas per unit of standard gas delivered, because the gas entering the cylinder is at a lower density than atmospheric conditions would imply.
For small-volume applications, even a modest mismatch between the stated capacity and the actual required flow can be significant in proportional terms. Providing the suction pressure alongside the discharge pressure and required flow rate is therefore important for confirming whether the ZW-6/8 or an adjacent model is the appropriate selection.
Information Required for Compressor Selection
- Gas composition (component breakdown)
- Methane, CO₂, and H₂S content
- Suction pressure and suction temperature
- Required discharge pressure
- Required flow rate and flow-reference basis
- Site ambient temperature and altitude
- Continuous or intermittent duty
- Available electrical supply (voltage and frequency)
- Cooling method preference
- Hazardous-area classification requirements
- Package and skid requirements
- Destination country and project location
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 6 m³/min the only capacity available in the Z Series low-pressure range?
The ZW-6/8 is the single verified low-pressure Z Series model in the source documentation available at the time of publication. If your required flow rate differs from 6 m³/min at 0.80 MPa discharge, adjacent models in the low-pressure L Series — the LW-10/8 at 10 m³/min or LW-20/8 at 20 m³/min — may be more appropriate. For higher flow rates, the D Series and H Series cover the wider range of the low-pressure family.
At 45 kW, is the ZW-6/8 suitable for a small remote installation?
The 380 V electrical supply and 45 kW motor draw make the ZW-6/8 compatible with standard industrial power supply available at many smaller or remote installations. The 2.00-tonne bare-machine weight also reduces rigging and transport requirements relative to the larger models in the product family. However, the full packaged weight — including motor, piping, separator, cooler, and control panel — will be greater than the bare-machine weight, and should be confirmed before finalizing transport and installation planning.
Why does the Z Series low-pressure range have only one listed model while the D Series has twelve?
The product families reflect different points on the capacity and pressure spectrum. The D Series covers a wide range of industrial-scale capacities and is offered in many configurations to serve different combinations of flow rate and discharge pressure within the low-pressure range. The Z Series at this pressure level addresses a narrow small-capacity niche. Additional Z Series models may exist but are not confirmed in the source data currently available; the engineering team can advise on the full range of options for specific requirements.
Request a Technical Proposal
For small-volume low-pressure natural gas compression, provide the gas composition, suction pressure and temperature, target discharge pressure, required flow rate with its reference basis, site electrical supply, and any relevant hazardous-area classification. The engineering team will review the compression ratio, confirm whether the ZW-6/8 or an adjacent model is the appropriate selection, and prepare a technical proposal covering the machine specification, package configuration, and delivery terms.
Related Compressor Products
- L Series Low Pressure Natural Gas Compressor — two-row models at 20–60 m³/min for similar pressure service at higher flow
- D Series Low Pressure Natural Gas Compressor — two-row models for medium-to-large capacity at 0.10–0.60 MPa
