Fault Classification in Reciprocating Compressors: A Comparison of Machine Learning and Deep Learning Approaches⁎

This study compares methodologies for fault classification in reciprocating compressors, focusing on traditional Machine Learning (ML) with classical feature extraction processes and one-dimensional Convolutional Neural Networks (1D-CNN) in Deep Learning (DL). Both techniques demonstrated viability by employing a dataset of compressor vibration signals encompassing ten fault classes. While ML achieved a classification accuracy of 86%, DL reached 90.709%, highlighting its superior learning and generalization abilities, although with longer training times. These findings suggest that, despite ML being effective when relevant prior knowledge is available, DL, particularly with 1D-CNN, offers enhanced fault classification performance for this study case at the expense of additional processing resources.