Could someone throw light on what is the normal value used for the factor by which allowable loads can be increased in API 617 ? Is there any range for this value ? Is there any basis specified for the same anywhere in API 617 ? API 617 is not recommending any such factor as per the CAESARII warning in API 617 analysis module.
Regards,
Sunil Godbole

Most of the compressors are custom made and not shelf itms like pumps. Hence it depends upon the agreement between vendor and purchaser for fixing the allowable load limits. Most of the compressor vendors are giving 3 times NEMA SM-23 or 1.62 times API-617 as allwoable values these days.

Regards

API 617 allowable values are 1.85 times NEMA allowables. Generally compressor vendor allows
3 to 5 times Nema values. Sometimes, the vendor
can accept values more than 5 times also if it is in one or two directions. It is better to send the actual values to vendor and get his approval, if the values are exceeding 3 times Nema values.