Reciprocating Compressor Driving End Bearing Failure

Guest,

If the above is all the information you have on the failure then your likely to never know the chain of events leading to this equipment failure.

You need to gather all possible data FIRST, this would include (but not limited to);

• Normal operating parameters as per OEM specs.
• Historical data on all pressures and temperatures associated with this equipment, lubrication being paramount in this case.
• Maintenance records.
• Lube oil analysis reports for minimum 1 year.

For any of us on this forum to get into this and offer any insight we would need a little more information than 8MW as well.

• Make and model application
• Type of drive
• Size of shaft and driven speed
• Size of bearing (width to determine film area)
• Type of lubrication system
• Type of lube oil

The above would get the gears turning, but there will still be many more questions.

Regards,

Tim

"it was running slightly lower than its half load condition, discharge pressure was maintained at 51Kg/cm2(designed for 150Kg/cm2)."

How do you achieve this condition? There are many ways of achieving partial capacity/pressure. If you do it by running the motor at a slower speed, then the answer to your problem is 'oil wedge' which help in lifting the shaft from having metal to metal contact. At low speed the oil wedge may not successfully form.

"it was running slightly lower than its half load condition, discharge pressure was maintained at 51Kg/cm2(designed for 150Kg/cm2)."

How do you achieve this condition? There are many ways of achieving partial capacity/pressure. If you do it by running the motor at a slower speed, then the answer to your problem is 'oil wedge' which help in lifting the shaft from having metal to metal contact. At low speed the oil wedge may not successfully form.

Any Vibration Monitoring Data?

FFT Spectrums?

Waveforms?

All data's you can find will help you to figger out what the cost was from this failer, check definitly the oil pressure ,did alarms showed up, high oil temperature,oil level,

Did you find white metal in de oilfilter?

Have you done a overhoul during last year,all spare parts where original parts?

Did your oil pressure contol system function well,also low level ?

I look forwards to sea new information data and other findings coming up.

Jan