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  • KBE, KBK, & KBT Reciprocating Gas Compressors

    Made to run continuously in the gas and oil industry, these compressors feature a design intended to increase strength of the internal parts. Because these compressors feature a wide range of cylinder options, they handle standard and specialized applications.

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  • Performance

    KBE: up to 2,600 BHP1,939 kW / 1,400 RPM
    KBK: up to 5,520 BHP4,116 kW / 1,200 RPM
    KBT: up to 5,520 BHP4,116 kW / 1,500 RPM

    Software

    Configure or optimize
    performance settings

    Warranty

    Ariel provides you with
    an unmatched warranty

    Find a Distributor

    Find trusted Ariel Distributors
    anywhere in the world

    Performance

    KBE:
    up to 2,600 BHP1,939 kW / 1,400 RPM
    KBK:
    up to 5,520 BHP4,116 kW / 1,200 RPM
    KBT:
    up to 5,520 BHP4,116 kW / 1,500 RPM

    Software

    Configure or optimize performance settings

    Warranty

    Ariel provides you with an unmatched warranty

    Find a Distributor

    Find trusted Ariel Distributors anywhere in the world

  • Slider_Aux_End_HEKT_300_260

    Full-Pressure Lubrication

    A frame-driven lube oil pump provides cooled oil through a full-flow oil filter to all moving parts in the frame. A divider-block system supplies metered oil to cylinder bores and rod packings.

    Slider_Bolting_Grade8_300_260

    High-Strength Bolting

    Durable Grade 8 bolting on all loaded joints combined with specially designed fatigue-fighting bolts on all valve caps ensure ultimate strength.

    KBK Conrod

    Rigid Connecting Rods

    The KBK/T compressors feature durable connecting rods manufactured from forged steel with a 4-bolt heavy-duty "I" section.

      Slider_Crosshead_GAJRHEKTCD_300_260

      Rugged Crossheads

      One-piece, long-life crossheads with hardened, ground steel crosshead pins and direct, full-pressure lubrication at the top and bottom for minimum wear.

       

      Slider_cylinder_300_260

      Innovative Cylinders

      Ariel's horizontal and double-acting cylinders eliminate the cost of a cylinder cooling system and remove the maintenance problems associated with water cooling.

      Slider_piston_rod_300_260

      Durable Pistons and Rods

      KBK/T compressors feature wear-resistant ductile or gray iron pistons and precision-ground alloy steel piston rods with locking crosshead nuts. Rolled threads are 1/4" under rod diameter for easy installation.

      Slider_Bearings_GAJRHEKTCD_300_260

      Precision Bearing Shells

      Every Ariel compressor features precision-machined compact tri-metal main and connecting rod bearings..

      Slider_VVCP_300_260

      Versatile Unloading Devices

      Ariel offers manual, head-end variable volume clearance pockets on most cylinders. Pneumatic suction valve un-loaders are available on a limited basis.
       
      Slider_Valve_MNPQGAJRHEKT_300_260

      Efficient Valving

      Plate-type valves are designed for modern speeds, utilizing non-metallic sealing elements as standard. Valves are selected to comply with established low-valve velocity standards.

       

      Slider_crankshaft_300_260

      Heavy-Duty Crankshafts

      KBK/T compressors feature forged steel, precision-machined crankshafts with integral counter-weights manufactured by Ariel Corporation.

      Spin On Filter

      High-Efficiency Spin-On Oil Filters

      Ariel KBK/T compressors feature high-efficiency spin-on oil filters rated at 5 micron nominal and 17 micron absolute.

       

      Slider_Frame_ALL_Frames_300_260

      Rugged Crankcase

      Ariel crankcases are designed for long service life and ease of access during maintenance. Our crankcases feature a heavily-ribbed, high-strength cast iron base with removable a lightweight aluminum top cover.

    • Full-Pressure Lubrication

      A frame-driven lube oil pump provides cooled oil through a full-flow oil filter to all moving parts in the frame. A divider-block system supplies metered oil to cylinder bores and rod packings.



       

      High-Strength Bolting

      Durable Grade 8 bolting on all loaded joints combined with specially designed fatigue-fighting bolts on all valve caps ensure ultimate strength.



      Rigid Connecting Rods

      This compressor features durable connecting rods manufactured from forged steel with a 4-bolt heavy-duty "I" section.



       

      Rugged Crossheads

      One-piece, long-life crossheads with hardened, ground steel crosshead pins and direct, full-pressure lubrication at the top and bottom for minimum wear.



       

      Innovative Cylinders

      Ariel's horizontal and double-acting cylinders eliminate the cost of a cylinder cooling system and remove the maintenance problems associated with water cooling.



      Durable Pistons and Rods

      This compressors features wear-resistant ductile or gray iron pistons and precision-ground alloy steel piston rods with locking crosshead nuts. Rolled threads are 1/4" under rod diameter for easy installation.



       

      Precision Bearing Shells

      Every Ariel compressor features precision-machined compact tri-metal main and connecting rod bearings.



       

      Versatile Unloading Devices

      Ariel offers manual, head-end variable volume clearance pockets on most cylinders. Pneumatic suction valve un-loaders are available on a limited basis.



      Efficient Valving

      Plate-type valves are designed for modern speeds, utilizing non-metallic sealing elements as standard. Valves are selected to comply with established low-valve velocity standards.



      Heavy-Duty Crankshafts

      Ariel manufactured crankshafts are precision-machined one-piece forged steel with integral counter-weights, balanced for smooth operation.



      Spin On Filter

      High-Efficiency Spin-On Oil Filters

      This compressor features high-efficiency spin-on oil filters rated at 5 micron nominal and 17 micron absolute.



       

      Rugged Crankcase

      Ariel crankcases are designed for long service life and ease of access during maintenance and feature heavily-ribbed, high-strength cast iron base with removable lightweight aluminum top cover.

    • Specifications

    • Frame KBE KBK KBT
      KBE/2 KBE/4 KBK/2 KBK/4 KBK/6 KBT/2 KBT/4 KBT/6
      Number of Throws 2 4 2 4 6 2 4 6
      Rated Power (BHP) 1,300 2,600 1,840 3,680 5,520 1,840 3,680 5,520
      Stroke (inch) 5 6 5
      Maximum RPM 1,400 1,200 1,500
      Piston Speed (FPM) 1,125 1,200 1,250
      Total Rod Load (lbs) 74,000 92,000
      Rod Load Tension (lbs) 37,000 46,000
      Rod Load Compression (lbs) 40,000 50,000
      Rod Diameter (inch) 2.0
      Crankshaft Centerline, from bottom (inch) 17
      Frame KBE KBK KBT
      KBE/2 KBE/4 KBK/2 KBK/4 KBK/6 KBT/2 KBT/4 KBT/6
      Number of Throws 2 4 2 4 6 2 4 6
      Rated Power (kW) 969 1,939 1,372 2,744 4,116 1,373 2,744 4,116
      Stroke (mm) 127 152.4 127
      Maximum RPM 1,400 1,200 1,500
      Piston Speed (m/s) 5.72 6.10 6.35
      Total Rod Load (N) 329,168 409,236
      Rod Load Tension (N) 164,584 204,618
      Rod Load Compression (N) 177,929 222,411
      Rod Diameter (mm) 51
      Crankshaft Centerline, from bottom (mm) 432
       
      KBE
      KBK
      KBT
      Number of Throws
      2 | 4
      2 | 4 | 6
      2 | 4 | 6
      Stroke
      5 in
      6 in
      5 in
      127 mm
      152.4 mm
      127 mm
      Rated RPM
      1,400
      1,200
      1,500
      Rated Power/Throw
      650 BHP
      920 BHP
      920 BHP
      485 kW
      686 kW
      686 kW

      Internal Gas Rod Loads

      Rod Load Compression
      40,000 lbs
      50,000 lbs
      177,929 N
      222,411 N
      Rod Load Tension
      37,000 lbs
      46,000 lbs
      164,584 N
      204,618 N
      Total Rod Load
      74,000 lbf
      92,000 lbf
      329,168 N
      409,236 N

      Miscellaneous

      Rod Diameter
      2.0 in
      51 mm
      Crankshaft Centerline
      17 in
      432 mm
      Guide Design
      Separable

      Material

      Crankshaft
      Forged Steel
      Connecting Rod
      Forged Steel
      Crosshead
      Ductile Iron
      Crosshead Bushing
      Bronze

    • Parts

      Ariel original equipment parts


    • Genuine Ariel Parts

      Ariel original equipment parts are designed, engineered, and manufactured specifically for your KBK or KBT compressor. Discover why Ariel's comprehensive parts program will maximize the life of your compressor.

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      Trusted Ariel Distributors

      Genuine Ariel Parts are marketed through a long-established network of qualified distributors who have unmatched expertise in the compression industry. Our distributors are available to help you select the best parts and services required to maintain the efficiency and dependability of your Ariel compressor.

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    • Support

      Ariel is committed to supporting our compressors for life. We pride ourselves on the manufacturing practices and engineering support behind our world class compression technologies. Through unmatched customer service and a global distribution network, Ariel will provide you with best-in-class compression solutions that reduce downtime and improve application performance.

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