Burckhardt Compression has manufactured the Hyper compressors for over 55 years. It can be used to handle ethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate or co-monomers.

The Hyper compressor is a high-pressure reciprocating compressor for low density polyethylene plants, with discharge pressure up to 3500 bar (50,000 psi). It excels with long lifetime and high safety requirements thanks to its unique design features, including:

  • Rugged motion work with low specific loads
  • Simple and robust design
  • Auxiliary crosshead for enhanced guidance of high pressure plungers
  • Easy access to all wear parts
  • Distance piece between motion work and cylinder, preventing gas from entering crankcase with a safety device to prevent crankcase damage
  • Three frame sizes available, minimising the number of cylinders in operation
  • Lube oil held in separate tank
  • High compressor availability (crucial for continuous process operation) 
  • Quick replacement of cartridge-type cylinder inserts
  • Minimised motion parts, such as a unique central valve

The once world’s most powerful compressor, driven by a 27’500 kW (36’900 HP) electric motor and compressing 160 tons of ethylene per hour to a discharge pressure up to 3’100 bara (45’000 psia), was built by Burckhardt Compression in 2007. Since then, Burckhardt Compression was able to deliver many more projects in this performance range.