Piping Vibration: This type of analysis is normally conducted only if piping failures have occurred or if the piping is deemed to be moving excessively. Piping analysis methods are similar to a vibration analysis performed on rotating machinery, except the assessment criteria are quite different.
Inspection frequency: Only required when issues arise
Performance Monitoring: To ensure that all your pumps are performing as advertised, it is important to assess their performance on a periodic basis. A performance analysis involves collecting pump pressures, flow, and horsepower data in order to determine overall efficiency and whether the pump delivers the performance required by the process.
Inspection frequency: Annual performance evaluations are common.
Monitoring Guidelines for Centrifugal Compressors
Figure 3.2 Centrifugal Compressor Rotor
Vibration Collection and Analysis: Due to their criticality, most centrifugal compressors have dedicated vibration monitoring systems consisting of either case-mounted accelerometers or non-contacting proximity probes at each bearing. If a significant change in overall vibration amplitude is reported by the monitoring system, a detailed frequency analysis is performed in an attempt to identify the nature of the malady. Critical monitoring systems usually have capabilities of generating trend plots, spectral comparisons, orbits, and other forms of data trending and presentation.
Inspection frequency: Additional monthly and quarterly inspections are often conducted by a technician to determine if any changes from the baseline have occurred.
Temperature Monitoring: Due to their criticality, centrifugal compressors typically have thermocouples or RTDs embedded in the bearing Babbitt near the location of where the maximum expected bearing temperature would occur. The proper placement of thermocouples and RTDs in the bearing allows accurate and repeatable bearing metal temperature measurements that can better track changing load and lubrication conditions.
Inspection frequency: At the same time the vibration data is taken.
Oil Analysis: Periodic oil analyses are typically performed on centrifugal compressors. These analyses can help detect oil contamination or bearing deterioration issues.
Inspection frequency: Monthly and quarterly inspection intervals are common.
Pressure Pulsation Analysis: These types of analyses are usually not conducted on a centrifugal compressor.
Inspection frequency: Only required when issues arise
Piping Vibration: These types of analyses are usually not conducted on a centrifugal compressor.
Inspection frequency: Only required when issues arise
Performance Monitoring: To insure that a compressor is performing as advertised, it is important to assess its performance on a periodic basis. A performance analysis involves collecting compressor pressures, flow, and horsepower data in order to determine overall efficiency and whether the compressor is delivering the performance required by the process.
Inspection frequency: Annual performance evaluations are common.
Monitoring Guidelines for Steam and Gas Turbines
Figure 3.3a Steam Turbine Blading
Vibration Collection and Analysis: Due to their criticality, most steam and gas turbines have dedicated vibration monitoring systems consisting of either case-mounted accelerometers or non-contacting proximity probes at each bearing including every thrust bearing. If a significant change in overall vibration amplitude or thrust position is reported by the monitoring system, a detailed frequency analysis is performed in an attempt to identify the nature of the malady. Critical monitoring systems usually have capabilities of generating trend plots, spectral comparisons, orbits, etc.
Inspection frequency: Additional monthly and quarterly inspections are often conducted by a technician to determine if any changes from the baseline have occurred.
Figure 3.3b Gas Turbine Power Recovery Buckets
Temperature Monitoring: Due to their criticality, steam turbines and gas turbines typically have thermocouples or RTDs embedded in the bearing Babbitt near the location of the maximum expected bearing temperature. The proper placement of thermocouples and RTDs in the bearing allows accurate and repeatable bearing metal temperature measurements that can better track changing load and lubrication conditions.
Inspection frequency: At the same time the vibration data is taken.
Oil Analysis: Periodic oil analyses are typically performed on steam turbines and gas turbines. These analyses can help detect oil contamination, oil breakdown, and bearing deterioration issues.
Inspection frequency: Monthly and quarterly inspection intervals are common.
Pressure Pulsation Analysis: This type of analysis is usually not conducted on steam turbines or gas turbines.
Inspection frequency: Only required when issues arise
Piping Vibration: This type of analysis is usually not conducted on steam turbines or gas turbines.
Inspection frequency: Only required when issues arise
Performance Monitoring: Performance monitoring can be conducted on steam turbines and gas turbines, but is both extremely complex and beyond the scope of this book. Usually this type of analysis is conducted by outside personnel with detailed knowledge of these machines.
Inspection frequency: Annual performance evaluations are common.
Additional Inspections: Due to the extreme conditions inside steam and gas turbines it is common to perform internal inspections at prescribed time intervals or “fired hours” intervals. This timing is because there are known failure modes that are not detectable with current online inspection methods. The original equipment manufacturer is a good starting point for recommended tear down inspection intervals for optimum reliability.
Monitoring Guidelines for Gear Boxes
Vibration Collection and Analysis: Due to their criticality, most large gear boxes have dedicated vibration monitoring systems consisting of either case-mounted accelerometers, non-contacting proximity probes at each bearing, or both types of sensors. Proximity probes are employed on units with fluid film bearings as a means of monitoring shaft vibration whereas case mounted accelerometers are used to monitor the condition of the gears.
Critical monitoring systems usually have capabilities of generating trend plots, spectral comparisons, orbits, etc. If a significant change in overall vibration amplitude is reported by the monitoring system, a detailed frequency analysis is performed in an attempt to identify the nature of the malady. Due to the sensitivity of gear dynamics to horsepower loading, it is particularly important to note power load levels when vibration data are collected.
Inspection frequency: Additional monthly and quarterly inspections are often conducted by a technician to determine of any changes from the baseline have occurred.
Figure 3.4 Double Herringbone Gears
Temperature Monitoring: Due to their