24 PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Fast service turnround for wrecked compressor
I
ndustrial compressors are used for a range of applications and usually perform a central role in
a manufacturing process such as paper and tissue making, requiring them to deliver a reliable service. All operators carry out preventative maintenance routines to protect against unexpected failures, but if the worst does happen the repair needs to completed quickly and efficiently. For one blue-chip customer,
Sulzer, a leading worldwide, independent service provider for large rotating equipment, was able to get its operations back up and running swiftly using the experienced, local service centre in the UK.
In this particular case, the
operator of the compressor required more air pressure and unfortunately believed this could be achieved by closing the surge valve. The consequence of this
Pulp Paper & Logistics
Initial investigation showed severe damage to the second-stage impeller and labyrinth seals
action was to cause the rotor to become unbalanced and hit the top diaphragm, resulting in damage to the impellers and all of the labyrinth seals. The compressor was originally manufactured by Sulzer and the operator made two calls with a view
to having the equipment repaired – one to the local service centre and the other to an alternative original equipment manufacturer (OEM). Sulzer agreed to be on site immediately to inspect the damage and offer a proposal for the repair. With time being a crucial element in
this project, Sulzer was contracted to complete the repair. The initial inspection took place
at the operator’s site and it was immediately apparent that of the compressor’s three stages, number two had suffered catastrophic damage, along with the labyrinth seals. The decision was taken to transfer the complete compressor to the Leeds Service Centre, where the turbomachinery repair service operation has recently relocated to, so that the repair process could begin.
As the local point of contact
The new impeller was manufactured and reassembled before being precision-balanced March/April 2017
for the client, the Leeds Service Centre coordinated the project and as it progressed, kept the client up-to-date with progress and timings. Projects involving complex equipment may need to involve the expertise of several service centres and it is essential that all aspects of a repair are carefully monitored to ensure that the client’s expectations are met.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36
