Patent ID: 8323000

Claim:
A method of controlling a driver power in a compression system comprising a compressor train including at least one turbocompressor, a turbocompressor inlet throttling valve, and a driver, the method comprising: (a) monitoring the driver; (b) testing to determine if the driver is overpowered; (c) calculating an operating point location for each of the at least one turbocompressors; (d) comparing the operating point location to a predetermined location relative to a surge limit for each of the at least one turbocompressors; (e) using a comparison of the operating point location to the predetermined location relative to the surge limit to determine if it is safe to close the inlet throttling valve; (f) actuating the inlet throttling valve toward a closed position if the driver is determined overpowered and it is safe to close the inlet throttling valve; and (g) avoiding actuation of the inlet throttling valve toward the closed position if the driver is determined overpowered and it is not safe to close the inlet throttling valve.