Vibration Bearing
Introduction
The following case study presents a thorough analysis of vibration measurements and Peak Vue analysis conducted on the cooling water pump by the dedicated condition monitoring team at Technomax Middle East Engineering. This facility stands as the largest single-site natural gas power generation plant globally, boasting an impressive capacity of 9,547 MW. Furthermore, the complex encompasses two major plants, serving the dual purpose of power generation and water desalination.
Machinery Overview
- Motor Rating: 250 KW
- Running Speed: 1485 RPM
- MOTOR DE:6324C3
- MOTOR NDE: NU324C3
- PUMP DE & NDE: 3314
- Measurement periodicity: 2 times Monthly (offline) measurements
- Problem: Bearing damage on Pump Both Bearings
Diagnosis of Bearing
During a routine survey, we observed that the pump bearings were experiencing elevated temperatures and higher vibration levels compared to the previous monthly inspection. Upon analysis, we found significant amplitudes of the bearing defect frequency, particularly the Ball Pass Frequency Outer race (BPFO) and its harmonics, in both bearings of the pump. The peak vibration signature revealed a notable amplitude at 149.2Hz, which corresponds to BPFO and its harmonics, indicating clear signs of bearing defects in both pump bearings.
Recommended Action
The recommendation was given to flush out the oil and top up with new oil. As a preliminary action, it was recommended to perform an oil analysis on the flushed-out oil. It is recommended to inspect the pump both bearings for bearing defects and replace the same in the next machine outage.
Action Taken
In March, the client performed maintenance on their equipment, which involved changing the oil and analysing the flushed-out oil; The analysis showed that there were particles from the bearings. As a result of the oil analysis and vibration reports, in May, corrective action was taken, and both pump bearings were replaced.
Conclusion
By implementing early fault detection, we were able to anticipate issues ahead of time, which allowed us to plan proactively. This allowed us to secure necessary supplies and make sure that we had the right tools available. As a result, we were able to prevent unexpected periods of downtime, minimize the chances of equipment breakdown, and cut down significantly on the amount of labour needed to replace bearing components.